The Division of Research Safety (DRS) operates a focused collection program for solvent and oil disposal for the Department of Chemistry laboratories in Roger Adams Laboratory (RAL) and Chemical and Life Science Laboratory A–Wing. The program is designed for laboratories that generate more than one jerrican of solvent or oil waste every two weeks. Under this program, jerricans will be collected from and returned to 371 RAL on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Use the DRS chemical waste pickup process for other waste streams.

Call 217-333-2755 or email cws@illinois.edu if you have questions.

PROGRAM Procedures:

1. DRS assigns a unique number to all jerricans in the program, e.g., Room # 456. Jerrican # 35. When using a new jerrican, write the room number on the container's side opposite the spout near the top.
2. Users must prepare an RAL Jerrican form for each jerrican. The Jerrican number is used to match the container with the correct RAL Jerrican form. Use a separate form for each jerrican. When using a new container enter "NEW" as the Jerrican Number. DRS will assign a number. 
3. The RAL Jerrican form is intended to be a running list of the waste added to the Jerrican. Each time waste is added to a jerrican, make a record on the corresponding form. The chemical names do not need to be in any particular order. The same chemicals may be added multiple times, but list each chemical name once and record each addition (in mL/Liters only) in the "Approximate Amounts Added" field. Chemicals that make up 1% or more of the total volume must be recorded.
4. The RAL Jerrican form has an example and additional program instructions.
5. Submit RAL Jerrican forms via the drop box in 371 RAL. The deadline is 9:00 am on Tuesday and Thursday for pickup on the following day. Submit by 1:00 pm on Friday for Monday pickup.
6. Use separate jerricans for oil, non-halogenated, and halogenated solvents and exclude other chemicals. Absolutely NO heavy metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Se, Ag), extremely toxic chemicals, or basic wastes (pH ≥ 12.5) may be added. Aqueous acidic waste (e.g., sulfuric acid) should be collected separately. The RAL Jerrican form instructions has a list of other chemicals that should be excluded. These other wastes should be processed through the standard chemical waste pickup process.
7. DRS will return empty jerricans to 371 RAL.

Points to Note:

• EPA rules require that the person generating waste must identify the waste in each container.
• Anyone who generates chemical waste should be trained in chemical management for laboratories. See the Safety Training Checklist to determine what safety training you need.
• Ten-liter jerricans are required. Do not use 20L jerricans. Most jerricans have lines inscribed on them to indicate the proper fill level. Do not add more than 10 liters of waste.
• DRS will refuse cracked, damaged, or leaking jerricans.
• If a problem arises with waste in a jerrican (e.g., it reacts when poured into a waste drum or it is malodorous), the jerrican will have to be lab-packed for disposal and it will not be returned. The most common reason for this is improper identification of the contents on the RAL Jerrican form.
• Jerricans are collected only from 371 RAL and only after an RAL Jerrican form has been submitted.
• Prepare for accidents. Develop a plan for a rupture, leak, or other emergency while using a jerrican. Being prepared can minimize the resulting injury and/or damage.

RAL Jerrican forms and instructions are available here.