Generator Responsibilities
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Reduce waste generation whenever possible.
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Adhere to all procedures for labeling, storing and disposing of hazardous waste.
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Use containers that are compatible with the chemical waste provided by EHS.
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Containers should always be labeled, capped and stored in a safe location in the laboratory. Do not store incompatible chemicals containers together.
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Waste chemicals should be packaged according to hazard class.
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Recycle unused chemicals through the EHS Hazardous Waste Storage and Disposal Procedures.
Hazardous Waste Storage and Disposal Procedures
Biohazardous Waste Categories
There are three main categories of biohazardous waste, classified according to their physical form. Each type must be properly segregated, labeled, decontaminated and disposed of to minimize risks of occupational exposure and environmental release.
Biohazardous waste, in any form, should never be left unsecured in publicly accessible areas (e.g. hallways). Only authorized lab personnel are permitted to remove biohazardous waste from the laboratory and transport it to designated holding areas for final disposal.
Solid Biohazardous Waste (non-sharps)
This category includes any non-sharp items contaminated with human or animal diagnostic specimens, infectious agents and microbiological cultures or recombinant DNA.
Examples include:
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Gloves and disposable PPE contaminated with specimens or culture material
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Plasticware (pipettes, tips, culture plates, specimen vials) contaminated with biological samples or nucleic acids
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Biologically contaminated towels and bench paper
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Culture or sample containers with biological material
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Tubes of blood (note: glass tubes that could break should be treated as sharps waste)
All items must be handled and disposed of according to proper biohazardous waste procedures.
Storage, Treatment and Disposal Guidelines
Storage
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Non-sharp biohazardous waste must be collected in leak-proof, autoclavable bags placed inside containers with a lid or closure. All containers should be labeled with the biohazard symbol. For Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2 labs), use red, orange or embossed biohazard bags.
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Once the bag is about two-thirds full, close the bag with a single overhand knot.
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Once sealed, place the bag inside a second bag using the same closure method, then deposit it into the medical waste contractor’s receptacle.
For small quantities of contaminated items (e.g., pipette tips, centrifuge tubes), benchtop containers or wire racks lined with biohazard bags are suitable. Lids are only required if the waste contains pathogens. Daily transfer of benchtop waste into the main collection container is recommended.
Treatment
It is important to treat medical waste from health facilities prior to disposal. Acceptable treatment methods for potentially infectious waste include incineration, steam sterilization, thermal inactivation, (dry heat of at least 320°F at atmospheric pressure for at least two hours), chemical disinfection and irradiation.
Any infectious agent listed on the DOT Category A Infectious Substances list is to be autoclaved.
Medical waste that can be autoclaved:
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Microbiological waste (e.g., cultures of human or animal specimens from medical or pathological labs)
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Cultures and stocks of microbiological specimens
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Biohazard-contaminated waste, such as: contaminated paper towels and contaminated surgical gloves
Do not autoclave:
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Medical/biological wastes mixed with volatile chemical solvents, corrosive chemicals, radioactive materials or items containing carcinogens, mutagens or teratogens— must be handled as chemical or radioactive waste instead.
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Pathological waste:
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Animal carcasses → place in a red bag and take to the pathological waste freezer in the Research Animal Facility.
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Human body parts → place in a red bag and dispose of as medical waste (without autoclaving).
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Effective autoclaving considerations:
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Do not overload autoclave bags — steam and heat must reach all contents.
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Avoid placing sharp objects (e.g., broken glass) that could puncture the bag.
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Do not overload the autoclave itself.
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Do not mix different items in one cycle — liquid media: 15–20 minutes; medical waste: minimum 30 minutes.
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Use a consistent loading pattern (amount and placement of materials).
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Record conditions for each cycle used to decontaminate waste.
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Validate autoclave effectiveness monthly (e.g., using test strips) and keep records accessible.
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General safety considerations for autoclave attendants:
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Wear personal protective equipment: heat-resistant gloves, goggles or safety glasses, and lab coat.
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Exercise caution when opening the autoclave door; allow superheated steam to escape.
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Allow the bags to cool to room temperature.
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Handle bags carefully; avoid lifting from the bottom — lift from the top.
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Be cautious of sharp objects that may puncture bags.
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Watch for pressurized containers; never seal liquids with a cork to avoid explosions.
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Avoid contact with molten agar from liquefied agar plates; use a secondary tray to catch leaks.
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Prevent glassware from cracking or shattering; avoid cold liquid contact with superheated glassware.
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Recover broken glass using tongs or forceps after the autoclave has cooled.
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Use an absorbent liner for glass vessels containing liquid.
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Never place autoclave bags or glassware directly on the autoclave bottom.
Preparing Biohazardous Waste for Autoclaving and Final Disposal (PDF 2)
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Place waste as generated in an autoclavable red bag.
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Process when bag is three-fourths full or within 90 days.
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Add about half a cup of water to the bag.
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Put autoclave tape loosely around the top of the bag and allow steam circulation.
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If transporting through common areas, use a closable tub with a locking lid.
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At the autoclave, place waste in a leak-proof, autoclavable tub and avoid overloading.
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Set the cycle for 30 minutes, 121 degrees F at 20 PSI (or alternate required conditions depending on waste).
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Log the run and mark bags as “Treated.”
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Place it in black trash bag and discard it in a permitted sanitary landfill.
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Update Treatment Log.
Note: Bags awaiting autoclave treatment should be stored in trays, tubs, buckets, etc.
Waste that has been treated but can yet be recognized as medical waste must be labeled with the facility that generated it, the treatment type and the initials of the person in charge of the treatment process.
Other ways of disinfectant
Spill of biohazards
Biohazard liquid
Biohazardous Sharps
Sharps are items with sharp edges or points capable of cutting or piercing, including hypodermic needles, syringes, tubing needles, razor blades and scalpels, pasteur pipettes and blood vials and glassware contaminated with infectious or genetically modified materials
Note: Do not clip, bend, shear or separate needles from syringes and do not recap needles.
Storage, Treatment and Disposal Guidelines
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Sharps contaminated with biological or infectious materials MUST always be discarded in a rigid, puncture resistant and leak-proof sharps container and labeled with the universal biohazard symbol. PDF 3
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Non-sharp items such as gloves, kimwipes, wrappers, and other lab debris should not be placed in sharps containers.
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Avoid overfilling: Discontinue using the sharps container when it reaches roughly 75% capacity.
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Seal the container: Snap the lid shut to securely and permanently close it.
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Tape the container: Apply tape to the lid and seams to keep it securely closed and prevent accidental openings.
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Wipe down the exterior surface of the container with a disinfectant prior to submission for disposal.
Contact EHS for the biohazardous waste collection schedule.
For contaminated broken glasses:
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Autoclave sharps containers prior to disposal.
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Do not dispose of sharps exposed to chemicals or radioactive materials in biohazard sharps containers.
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Do not autoclave sharps contaminated with solvents, volatile or corrosive chemicals and radioactive materials.
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Place sharps that are contaminated with trace amounts of chemical into an infectious waste sharps container labeled “Chemical Contaminated SHARPS – DO NOT AUTOCLAVE” and dispose of as biohazardous / infections waste according to the Infectious Waste Disposal guidelines for your School or Department. PDF 3
Dispose of biohazardous sharps contaminated with radioactive material in a clearly labeled radioactive sharps container. PDF 3
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Dual labeling: Containers must indicate both biohazard and radioactive hazards.
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Do not autoclave: These sharps cannot be autoclaved.
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Handle with care: Treat as both biohazardous and radioactive waste.
https://www.amazon.com/Oakridge-Products-Sharps-Container-Professional/dp/B00X6L1HFW?th=1
Treatment
Packing and Labeling
https://www.fishersci.com/us/en/browse/90150154/biohazardous-waste--disposal-bags-and-containers
https://store.medicalwholesale.com/products/BiohazardBags-SharpsContainers.asp
c. Attach a properly completed waste tag to the storage container immediately once a material is designated as waste. forms (pdf)
Fill out the tag accurately using the following guidelines:
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DATE (MM/DD/YY): Record the date when waste is first added to the container.
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POINT OF CONTACT: Identify the individual responsible for the waste, typically a faculty or staff member.
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LOCATION: Provide the room number and building name or department where the waste is generated. Do not move the container from this location.
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CONTAINER CONTENTS: List all contents. If additional space is needed, continue on the back of the tag. When multiple people contribute to the container, establish a system to ensure each chemical added is properly recorded. Write clearly and provide as much detail as possible.
Waste Collection
EHS allocated a day each month for waste pick up ( ) at ( ). Send a waste pick-up request to EHS and we will take care of it for you .
PLAN AHEAD
After EHS receives your pick-up request, there will be a period of time before the waste can be picked up. Do not fill all your containers and then request an immediate response. Depending on the rate of waste generation, keep the appropriate number of containers on hand to use while the pick-up request is being processed.
Mehrnaz Siahi
