Biological Waste

Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals

• Laboratory Refuse Collection Poster
•  Solids
  • Autoclaving Solid Biohazardous Waste that Will Not Puncture the Skin
  • Autoclaving Solid Biohazardous Waste that May Puncture the Skin
  • Chemically Treating Solid Biohazardous Waste that May Puncture the Skin
  • Preparing Solid Biohazardous Waste that Will Not Puncture the Skin for Collection

• Liquids
  • Preparing Liquid Biohazardous Waste for Collection
  • Disposing Liquid Biohazardous Waste Using the Sanitary Sewer Drain

• Sharps
  • Preparing Biohazardous Sharps Waste for Collection
  • Update to Sharps Disposal

• Pathological
  • Preparing Pathological Waste for Collection

• Uncontaminated Waste
  • Disposal of Uncontaminated Waste

General Guidelines for Managing Biological Waste

• The accumulation start date, which is the date the waste is first placed in the container, must be clearly written on the label
• Sharps containers must be properly disposed of within 18 months or when 3/4 full if prior to 18 months. All other biological waste must be treated or collected by HMM within 60 days of the first waste being placed in the container
• All containers of biological waste must have a “Biohazard Label” attached – NOTE: For containers that are not pre-labeled, biohazard labels can be ordered through the EHS Supplies Request Form.