Title:	Hazardous Materials Donations Policy
Policy Owner:	Environmental Health and Safety
Applies to:	University Workforce Members and Students
Campus Applicability:	All UConn Campuses, except for UConn Health
Approval Date:	April 30, 2026
Effective Date:	June 1, 2026
For More Information, Contact:	Environmental Health and Safety
Contact Information:	(860) 486-3613/ ehs@uconn.edu
Official Website:	Environmental Health and Safety

PURPOSE

To ensure Hazardous Materials Donations (i.e., biological, chemical, radioactive, or other regulated materials) are evaluated and authorized by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) prior to acceptance by workforce members to protect workers, ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and University policies, conform to building and fire codes, and minimize disposal costs to the University.

APPLIES TO

This policy applies to workforce members who accept Hazardous Material Donations at all campuses, except UConn Health.

DEFINITIONS

Hazardous Material Donation: The voluntary, unconditional transfer of hazardous materials (i.e., biological, chemical, radiological, or other regulated materials) from any external organization to a college, department, school, or workforce member at the University of Connecticut.

POLICY STATEMENT

Colleges, departments, schools, or workforce members must receive written approval from Environmental Health and Safety prior to accepting Hazardous Material Donations.

If Hazardous Material Donations do not receive written authorization from EHS prior to delivery or receipt, the costs associated with shipping unsafe, non-compliant, or nonessential hazardous materials back to the external organization will be covered by the college, department, or school who authorized the shipment.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy and any related procedures may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Code.

PROCEDURES/FORMS

Workforce members must complete the Hazardous Materials Donation Form on the EHS Website prior to accepting any donation.

The appropriate EHS team(s) will assess Hazard Material Donations prior to approval. The assessment may include, but is not limited to, reviewing the following:

• Material type and characteristics
  • number of containers or items
  • quantity of material
  • physical form(s) (e.g., solid, liquid, gas)
  • condition of materials (e.g., age, opened vs unopened, etc.)
• procedures in place to use the materials
• storage location(s)
• control measures in place (e.g., fume hoods, local ventilation, etc.)
• any required permits or licensing
• costs associated with disposal.

EHS may also contact UConn’s Fire Marshal, Building Inspector & Security Technology office, when appropriate, to ensure compliance with applicable building and fire codes.

Following the assessment, EHS will either authorize the Hazardous Material Donation, request more information, or deny the donation in writing. If the donation is authorized and involves laboratory chemicals, the workforce member must contact EHS to barcode the chemicals upon arrival to comply with the Laboratory Chemical Inventory Program.

REFERENCES

Environmental Health and Safety Website
Hazardous Materials Donation Form
Laboratory Chemical Inventory Program

POLICY HISTORY

Policy created:  April 30, 2026 (Approved by the University Senior Policy Council and President)

Revisions:

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