View the NIH Drain Discharge Guide Here!​

Submit an Application to Dis​pose Waste Down the Drain Here!

The NIH waste policy requires that all wastes be reduced to the greatest extent feasible to li​mit any negative environmental impact. Proper management of all wastes is required, including their characterization, collection, labeling, packaging, storage, recycling, transportation, treatment and final disposal. Disposal of chemical wastes, including pharmaceutical wastes, via the sanitary sewer is regulated by federal, state and local laws and regulations. Violation of these regulations may result in citations for noncompliance from local, state or federal authorities. Avoiding discharges to the sanitary sewer furthers our mission of protecting human health and the environment.​

Significant Points

​	​Call Chemical Waste Services if you​​​ are uncertain about: ​Concentration Contents in the total waste pH​
​	​Range of pH Any aqueous waste outside the pH range of 6 to 10 is not authorized for discharge to the drain The pH range must be between 6 and 10 at the point of disposal
​	​Autoclave approved antibiotics before discharge The NIH Drain Discharge Guide lists antibiotics that may be autoclaved and discharged to the drain. All other antibiotics must be disposed through Chemical Waste Services Bleach combined with any antibiotics must be disposed through Chemical Waste Services
​	​All approved chemicals are used in a process before discharge

​Chemical Determination for Hazardous Waste

If the chemical in question is not already on the "Chemicals Approved for Drain Disposal" list, the NIH will need to determine if it is acceptable for disposal. Chemical wastes that are already listed on the "Chemicals Approved for Drain Disposal" list are approved for disposal down the drain when not mixed with unapproved materials. If a chemical waste that is generated in your lab does not appear on the list, you may request standing approval for drain disposal using the Application for Disposal of Specific Chemical Reagents to the Sanitary Sewer. System wastes, disinfection wastes, or chemicals associated with disapproved mixtures will be approved on a case-by-case basis. If approved, the chemical will be added by DEP to the list of "Chemical Approved for Drain Disposal." If disapproved, collect the material as chemical waste and request pickup through your waste disposal authority.

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Chemicals Approved for Drain Disposal

Laboratory workers should consult this guide before undertaking drain disposal of any lab chemicals. Only chemicals approved for drain disposal by the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) may be disposed of down the drain. Surplus solid chemicals must be disposed of through Chemical Waste Services and not discharged to the sanitary sewer.​

​	Do not use the sink for disposal of chemicals if water does not freely flow down the drain Avoid or minimize splashing of waste Do not use unfamiliar sinks​​

Waste Containing Antibiotics
The NIH is committed to avoiding the release of antibiotics that can reach the ecosystem. Autoclaving is the best practice and reliable means to inactivate antibiotics. Antibiotic waste must be treated differently depending on its stability. Discharging to the drain, with inactivation by other methods, requires an approval from the DEP Application for Disposal of Specific Chemical Reagents to the Sanitary Sewer​.


Other Waste​