Within the Complutense University, the Faculty of Chemical Sciences is one of the main centers generating hazardous chemical waste derived from its teaching and research activity as well as from the provision of services.

In 2016, due to a change in waste legislation, our faculty was registered ex officio by the Community of Madrid in the Register of Waste Producers as a Producing Center.

For all these reasons, the Faculty has been making efforts for years to improve the management of the waste it generates.

The result of these efforts has been:

• The installation of the Temporary Waste Storage Facility (ATR)
• The approval by the Faculty Board of the "Internal procedure for the management of hazardous laboratory waste"
• The creation of a position for a Waste Management Technician

TRANSFER AND STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

The Waste Management Technician is in charge of the transfer of hazardous waste from the generating centers (teaching laboratories, research laboratories and research support centers) and its correct storage in the ATR until its final removal by a specialized company. (Companies and Removal Schedule)

All wastes are stored in regulatory and approved containers.

Waste is transported by the shortest route between the laboratory and the ATR, avoiding passing through crowded areas in order to minimize the risk of accidents along the way.

A written record is kept of the entry of waste into the ATR indicating its origin, nature and quantity.

TEMPORARY WASTE STORAGE FACILITY (ATR)
Located behind the Pilot Plant, it is a passable fire-resistant warehouse equipped with a regulatory retention tank for the storage of hazardous substances. In addition to this cubicle for the containment of possible spills, it is equipped with multiple safety systems:   Open door locking mechanism and height-adjustable access ramp to facilitate entry by means of transport trolleys Forced ventilation system for greater air renewal Smoke and temperature detector Equipotential bonding and grounding to avoid electrical hazards and the risk of fire or explosion
For the storage of waste inside, both the manufacturer's technical specifications and the INSST technical notes on prevention are followed. Some of the criteria are:   Compatibility of the different wastes: Do not store in the racks that have the same retention tank substances that by accidental mixing cause undesired and dangerous chemical reactions. Take into account the volume and weight of the containers: The lighter ones in the upper racks and the heavier ones in the lower racks. Do not exceed the maximum load capacity of the racks or the maximum storage capacity for which the ATR is designed. Do not store outside authorized locations

In addition, the ATR components are periodically checked to ensure optimal maintenance and proper operation.