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Wastes generated at UMB must be collected, stored, transported and disposed safely, economically and in compliance with relevant federal, state and local regulations. For the purpose of this procedure, a distinction is made among these regulated, controlled, and managed wastes:

Radioactive Waste: Waste containing or contaminated with radioactive materials generated at UMB are regulated as low-level radioactive waste. This waste includes liquid scintillation counting fluids and vials, animal carcasses injected with radioactive materials and experimental or clean-up materials contaminated with radioactive materials. Furthermore, in Maryland, naturally occurring and accelerator-produced radioactive materials (NARM) such as Uranium and Thorium are regulated in the same manner as other classes of radioactive materials.

Biomedical Waste: This class of regulated waste consists of biological, pathological, and infectious wastes such as anatomical material, blood, blood-soiled articles, cultures and stocks of infectious agents, and needles, syringes and other sharps defined by the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) regulations as Special Medical Waste. Also included in this classification of waste are animal carcasses and biologically contaminated laboratory waste such as petri dishes that has been sterilized or disinfected but must be managed in a socially acceptable manner.

Hazardous Waste: This class is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and includes specifically listed waste in 40 CFR 261 Subpart D or exhibits any of the characteristics: flammability, corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity. Additionally, certain wastes not listed by the EPA are regulated by the Maryland Department of the Environment as Controlled Hazardous Substances (CHS). The list of Maryland CHS include wastes such as PCBs and military chemical warfare agents.

Mixed Waste: This class of waste is defined as waste that meets the definition of low level radioactive waste and contains hazardous wastes that are listed in 40 CFR 261 Subpart D or exhibit the characteristics of toxicity, ignitability, corrosivity or reactivity. Regulations for hazardous and radioactive wastes are based on different criteria and are administered by different agencies. Therefore, mixed radioactive and hazardous waste poses specific disposal problems.

Controlled Substances: There are a number of controlled substances defined by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) that are not covered by hazardous waste regulations but still need to be controlled. These chemicals are listed in 21 CFR 1308. Only individuals licensed by the DEA may use controlled substances for research or medical purposes. Old or unused controlled substances must be returned to the DEA for disposal. No controlled substances may be disposed of through any other means.

Waste Water: The waste water generated at UMB is managed and treated by the City of Baltimore. City ordinances regulate discharges to both the sanitary sewer and storm drains. No chemical, no matter how innocuous, should be poured down sanitary sewer or storm drains without consulting city ordinances or EMD/EHS.