Use microscale procedures or simply scale down the magnitude of experiments. Distill spent solvents for reuse. Segregate halogenated waste from nonhalogenated wastes. Segregate organic liquids from inorganic wastes. Do not mix chemical waste with normal office trash or food waste.
All waste contaminated with hazardous materials is considered a hazardous waste.
Avoid reagents or paints containing heavy metals. Use spent solvent for the initial glassware rinse and fresh solvent for the final rinse only. Purchase lecture bottles only from companies who will accept their return when empty. Reuse developers in photography labs. Recover metals for recycling or reuse by precipitation.