Chemical Waste

Tradebe are contracted by University Procurement Services to provide a service for the collection of:   

  • hazardous chemical waste  

  • hazardous WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) i.e. fridges, freezers, batteries and fluorescent light tubes 

Storage and disposal of waste chemicals

  • Collect substances in original or similar suitable primary container. 

  • Label containers properly to indicate their contents and associated hazards. 

  • Store containers properly until they are ready for disposal. 

When accumulation exceeds the available storage limits within the laboratory area, inform the local technician who will arrange appropriate disposal. 

Containers must be in good condition.  If leaking or damaged, either repackage or inform the Laboratory Manager to determine the proper packaging for disposal.  High hazard chemical waste should be double contained. 

Containers must be equipped with a properly fitting cap or other closure means. 

Do not dispose of empty containers in the general waste unless all chemical residues have been removed by appropriate rinsing (x3).  If in doubt, inform the Laboratory Manager. 

PPE (e.g. gloves, eye protection) should be worn as appropriate to the chemical and their containment, as identified in the risk assessment. 

Arranging Collection of waste chemicals 

To arrange a collection from Tradebe, please refer to this guidance document. You will need to fill-out a pre-acceptance form and email the completed form to UK.UoC@tradebe.com and cc safety-office@eng.cam.ac.uk . Once your order has been processed, Tradebe will email you to issue a Works Order Number and to arrange a time and date for collection. 

The Safety office can provide help, but you can also contact the following for advice: 

  • Tradebe for day-to-day queries about the service 

  • Chemical Safety team for technical questions or safety concerns about the disposal of hazardous chemical waste or hazardous WEEE 

Civil Engineering Building

For chemical, or hazardous, waste disposal please contact  Dr Pieter Desnerck  (Senior Technical Manager)  div-d-stm@eng.cam.ac.uk  or Chris Burling  (Divisional Lab Manager)  cjb276@cam.ac.uk  who will arrange for the waste to be stored safely whilst awaiting collection.  

Electrical Engineering Division

  • Chemical waste (solids and liquids): 

For the SRF’s (Small Research Facilities) i.e. Electrical Engineering,  Cambridge Graphene Centre cleanrooms and labs, the assigned technicians review the areas and remove any unwanted chemicals into the chemical waste stores. These stores are managed by the Safety and Experimental Manager (SEM) who arranges for collection by the University hazardous waste contractor.  

For non- SRF areas and the Institute the Biomedical Innovation (IBI)the lab users should contact Dr Sean Whelan (SEM) at sw349@cam.ac.uk  to report that chemical waste is ready for collection.   

  • Chemically contaminated sharps waste, e.g. needles, broken glass, sharp blades etc: 

Users should put waste into the yellow sharps containers. In the SRF areas technicians will arrange for disposal, in non-SRF areas users should inform the SEM when containers are approaching the need for replacement.  

  • Chemically contaminated plastic pipette tips (non-sharps): 

Users should deposit the tips into the specific yellow/green cardboard “Bio” boxes. In the SRF areas technicians will arrange for disposal, in non-SRF areas users should inform the SEM when containers are approaching the need for replacement.   

Institute for Manufacturing

Groups should store waste chemicals, in accordance with information on the relevant safety data sheet, in their labs and use the Tradebe waste pre-acceptance form (as detailed elsewhere) to request collection. For further advice please contact Dr Sebastian Pattinson (Local Safety Coordinator) swp29@cam.ac.uk  

Schofield Centre

For chemical, or hazardous, waste disposal please contact John Chandler (Laboratory Manager) jac44@cam.ac.uk   

Trumpington Street

The key for the Trumpington Street Site Waste Chemical Cupboard is held by the Safety Office (INO-18). If the storage area is full or in an unsafe condition inform the CUED Safety Office. 

Whittle Laboratory

For chemical, or hazardous, waste disposal please contact Dominic Basham (Laboratory Manager) at dwb38@cam.ac.uk   

Updated 13/07/2026