UI number?
What is a UI number and how does it apply to me?
Every unique chemical or chemical mixture is assigned a UI number in our waste management system (EMS). Each UI number is associated with information about how we transport, store, and dispose of that waste type, as well as codes required for regulatory compliance. As an individual who submits waste for pickup, you will select the appropriate UI numbers for your waste when you create a waste pickup request in EMS.
A detailed guide to submitting a waste request can be found here.
A video demonstrating how to submit a waste request can be found here.
Original chemical bottle?
I have a chemical in the original manufacturer's container. What is the easiest way to find the UI number?
Many chemicals sold from vendors such as Sigma, Fisher, etc. are labeled with their Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number. You may search by CAS number (without dashes) to find the appropriate UI number. This is especially helpful when searching for chemicals known by multiple names.
No CAS number?
I don't have a CAS number. How should I search for the UI number?
You may search by “Chemical Name” and change "Begins with" to “Contains.” This will bring up every UI number that contains your search term, including mixtures.
Mixtures are usually named with their chemical constituents in alphabetical order. In the case of complex mixtures or larger molecules, searching for a portion of the name may be helpful.
A video demonstrating a search by "Chemical Name Contains" can be found here.
Can't find the UI number?
I have tried searching by CAS number and chemical name, and I still can't find a UI number for my waste. What now?
Submit your waste using UI# 1 New Chemical and provide as much information as you have in the “Waste Description” field.
List all chemical components including water or other solvents and their approximate concentrations.
If you have a laboratory chemical with a CAS number on the label, include the CAS number.
If you have a commercial product, include the manufacturer, product name, and product number, as well as any active ingredients listed.
If you have access to the Safety Data Sheet online, include the link.
A video demonstrating how to submit a waste request with UI# 1 New Chemical can be found here.
Similar chemical names?
I found a UI number that is close to the waste I have generated. Can I just select that and then change the chemical name to match my waste?
No. Each UI number contains unique identifiers that allow us to transport, handle, and dispose of your waste safely and in compliance with all applicable regulations. Two UI numbers that appear “close” may need to be handled in very different ways. Waste items where the chemical name has been altered by the submitter are placed on HOLD until a DRS chemist can correct them.
If you cannot find an appropriate UI number that matches your waste, please use UI #1 New Chemical and provide as much information as you have in the “Waste Description” field.
UI# 1 vs. searching?
Can I just submit everything as UI# 1 New Chemical and tell you what I have in the waste description field?
We ask that those submitting waste requests make an honest effort to select appropriate UI numbers for the waste they have generated.
Every waste request with a UI #1 New Chemical is put on HOLD until it can be reviewed by a DRS chemist and assigned an appropriate UI number. Waste requests with many UI #1s may take longer to be processed and pickup may be delayed.
Repeated waste streams?
I routinely generate the same waste, but I can't remember what UI number I used before.
When you log into EMS, you will see three options in the center of the screen: “New pickup request,” “Browse pickup requests,” and “Chemical Name Table.”
Selecting “Browse pickup requests” will pull up a list of waste requests you have submitted in the past. You may view these requests to find the UI numbers you have used before. You may also clone a previous waste request to submit the same waste items again. More details about cloning a waste request may be found here.
Lab clean out?
I am cleaning out a laboratory and need to submit a lot of chemicals. Should I still complete a waste request?
If you have more than 50 waste containers to submit for pickup, please email DRS-Waste@illinois.edu to schedule a consultation. We may be able to reduce your workload, but you will still need to submit a waste request after your consultation.
Still have questions? Email DRS-Waste@illinois.edu.