Formulación de una propuesta metodológica para la gestión integral de residuos químicos peligrosos en instituciones de educación superior 1/Developing a methodology for the comprehensive management of hazardous chemical residues in higher education institutions

In chemical analysis laboratories a great amount of products are handled and many different operations are carried out, either for educational processes or research purposes which lead to the generation of hazardous waste. These are varied and highly complex because of the complex matrix they are part of. Therefore they present a bigger challenge when dealing with them. The objective of this investigation was to formulate a methodological proposal for the management of hazardous chemical waste based on the University's Waste Management Plan. In order to assess the methodology's proper development, the work was done together with the general chemistry laboratories, by doing a preliminary diagnosis and quantifying the total amount of waste generated. Then we characterize it since this stage of the methodology is crucial for the management and identification of the waste for further treatment. Once the first stages of the methodology were through, we went ahead and applied the treatments which lowered the temporary storage of chemical waste, by eliminating it by evaporation, encapsulation and bioremediation by 35% of the total waste generated in 2010. We were also able to properly apply the established methodology, obtaining results in the improvement of the waste segregation and characterization, helping lower the uncontrolled storage, that it was in the temporary storage room, which did not have any kind of treatment or control. This situation presented a high risk of environmental impact for the institution in the long term.