Fridges (and other items with coolants)

Coolants are classed as hazardous waste and need to be disposed of appropriately and professionally.

Domestic fridges should be emptied and cleaned before submitting this form.

Laboratory equipment must be thoroughly decontaminated prior to being submitted for disposal and a suitably signed and completed decontamination certificate appended.

Please refer to the standard College's decontamination certificate and guidance notes.

Hazards

When submitting your request for disposal please make it clear in the notes field if there are any known hazards in the equipment. In particular, capacitors and transformers and products containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Historically, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were extensively used in electrical equipment such as capacitors and transformers. However, their use in open applications was widely banned in 1972 and they have not been used in the manufacture of new equipment since 1986. The HSE website contains further information on PCBs including product trade names.

We aim to respond to requests within 3 days, however, it may take longer for unlisted items or where specialist lifting equipment is required and we need to obtain a quotation for disposal.