Methods for disposal of laboratory waste

1. Methods of disposal of laboratory waste
Waste: Wastes are unwanted or unusablematerials. OR
Waste is any things or any substances which is discarded after primary use.
Types of waste
 Normal Municipal waste (general)
 Recyclable waste
 BrokenGlass
 Biological /Medical waste
 Chemical waste
 Sharps,BrokenGlass
 Radioactive material waste
 Electronicandcomputerwaste
Disposal of Sharps:
Purpose :Thisprocedure specifiesthe methodforproperdisposal of sharpsandneedlestoensure the
safetyof disposal workers.
Sharpswaste is a formof biomedical waste,asdefinedinPart1 (j) of the BC HazardousWaste
Regulation.Clinical andlaboratorysharpswaste consistsof needles,syringes,bladesorlaboratoryglass
capable of causingpuncturesor cuts.Thus, to avoidinjuriessharpswaste mustbe carefullyhandled.
Procedure:
A. SharpscontaminatedwithbiohazardsSharps(includingneedles) presentbothaphysical and
potentiallyinfectioushazard.Tocontrol these hazards,sharpswaste mustbe collectedinAPPROVED
redor yellowcontainersmade of arigid,puncture-resistantandimperviousplasticthatcan be
autoclaved.The containersmustbe labeledwithabio-hazardouslabel onthe outsideandtheymustbe
closable/lockable.
Followthe stepsbelow:
1. Collectall sharps(includingneedles)inapprovedplastic"sharpscontainers".
2. Do not fill the containerpastthe indicated“Full”line (i.e.3/4full).
3. Chemicallydecontaminate (e.g.bleach)all infectiousitemspriortodisposal intothe container,
OR autoclave the entire containeronce itisfull.
4. Ensure that the pH is neutral afterthe chemical decontamination,byeitherrinsingwithwateror
neutralizingthe decontaminationsolution.
5. Securelyclose andsnapthe lidinplace.
6. Take the full containertothe building'sdesignatedareaforpick-upanddisposal.

2. 7. Do NOT putsharps intoplasticbags.
8. If there is more thanone sharpscontainer,place the containersinanunsealedopencardboard
box.
Disposal of Photographic Waste:
Purpose: Thisprocedure ensuresthatphotochemical wastesare segregatedandstoredproperlyso
that silvercanbe recoveredfromthe fixer.
Procedure :
1. Collectphotochemical wastesinadedicated5or 20 literredcontainerwhichhasonly
containedphotochemicals,asprovidedbythe Environmental ServicesFacility(ESF).Toobtain
these containers,call 604-822-1285 or 604-822-1281. Photochemicalscontaminatedwithtrace
amountsof solventswill damage the photochemical recoverycolumns.
2. Separate containersmustbe usedforfixer,developer,stopandstabilizer.
3. Do not mix solventswithphotochemical waste.
4. Whencontainersare full,complete the PhotographicWaste Tag(Purple),(asshownbelow),
affix the generatorbarcode label,checkthe appropriate box onthe tag and attach to the red
containers.
5. Place containersinthe building’sdesignatedwaste areaforpick-upbyESF.
Disposal of Unknown Laboratory Chemicals:
Purpose :
Thisprocedure specifiesthe methodforthe properdisposalof unidentifiedlaboratorychemicalssuch
that hazardsare addressedandUBC isin compliance withall legislation.
Procedure:
1. Put the containersof unknowns(anytype of unidentifiedwaste) inacardboardbox.
2. Write “Unidentifiedchemicals - DoNotTouch” on the box in clearlettering.
3. Store securely.
4. Contact ESF at 604-822-6306 to arrange for an approvedexternalcontractortopick-upthe
waste.
5. ESF will contactthe external contractoronthe generator’sbehalf.
6. The generatorpaysthe contractor directlyforthe costof identificationanddisposal.
Disposal of Explosive Chemicals :
Purpose :
Thisprocedure specifiesthe requirementsforthe disposal of DangerousGoods(DG) Class1 (Explosives),
chemicalsidentifiedasexplosive,orpotentiallyexplosivesubstances.

3. Procedure The EnvironmentalServicesFacility(ESF) DOESNOTacceptexplosives.
The procedure for the disposal of all types of explosivesisasfollows:
1. Put the containersof explosivesinacardboardbox.
2. Write “Explosives - DoNotTouch” on the box inclear lettering.
3. Store securely.
4. Contact ESF at 604-822-6306 to arrange for an approvedexternalcontractortopick-upthe
waste.
5. ESF will contactthe external contractoronthe generator’sbehalfandwill letthemknow what
the approximate costof disposal is.
6. The generatorpaysthe contractor directlyforthe costof disposal.
Disposal of Waste Oil :
Purpose :
Thisprocedure specifiesthe requirements forthe packaginganddisposal of oil ormaterial
contaminatedwithoil,suchthatUBC isin compliance withall local andprovincial legislation.
Types ofwaste oil include the following:
Automotive lubricatingoil
Cuttingoil ,Fuel oil , Gear oil ,Hydraulicoil , Refinedpetroleumbasedoil ,Syntheticoil
Emulsion ,Crude oil , Vacuum-pumpoil .
IMPORTANT NOTE: Waste oilsmustnotbe contaminatedwithwater,solvents,toxicmaterialsor
polychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCB’s).
Procedure:
The procedure for the collectionand disposal of waste oil is as follows:
1. The oil can be collectedinthree ways:a) Supplier’soriginal disposable plasticcontainerif itisin
goodcondition(i.e.notleaking);b) Designated5literor20 literredplastic oil cans;or, c) 205
litermetal drums.
2. Do not use redsolventcansfor disposal of waste oil.If yourequire emptyoilcontainers,contact
an Environmental ServicesFacility(ESF)Technicianat604-822-1281.
3. Complete the requiredinformationonthe Flammable LiquidDisposal Tag(Blue) (asshown
below) andaffix the generatorbarcode sticker.Under“Other”write the type of oil inthe
container(aslistedinthe Scope of thisprocedure).
4. Make sure that all waste oil containersare properlytaggedandidentified,withlidstightly
closed.
5. Place the containersinthe building’sdesignatedareaforpick-upbyESF.

4. Disposal of Laboratory Glass Waste :
Purpose :
Thisprocedure specifiesthe methodforproperdisposal of glasswaste toensure the safetyof disposal
workers.
Glasswaste includesthe following: 1. Glass bottles2.Pipettes3.Otherglassware 4.Media Plates
Procedure:
Only APPROVED containers maybe usedforthese wastes.These containersmustnottobe usedfor
any otherpurpose.
Approved glasswaste containers: five gallongreymetal cansorwhite plasticpails.All containersmust
be clearlylabeledas“GlassWaste Only”.Each containermustbe linedwithaclear6 mil plasticbagthat
enclosesall the glass.Pailsandbagsare available throughBuildingOperationsStores(604-822-5272).
If uncontaminated,treat as regular glasswaste.
If the glass containerwas previouslycontaminatedwith the followinghazardous materials:
Hazardous chemicals:safelyemptycontainer,decontaminate orneutralizeasnecessary,triple rinse,
dry and dispose of asregularglasswaste.
RiskGroup 1 or RiskGroup 2 biohazardousmaterials:decontaminateemptycontainerswithbleach,by
autoclaving,orbyusingotherapprovedmethods.Fordetailsrefertothe “Treatment& Disposal of
BiohazardousWaste Procedure”.Thentreatasregularglasswaste.
In general,for the disposal of glasswaste followthe stepsbelow:
Decontaminate safelyasrequired.
Cleancompletelyof residues,includingorganicvapoursandchemicalsx leave bottlesof organic
solventsinafume hoodfor at leastone dayx rinse otherreagentbottleswell withcoldwater
1. Remove all bottle caps.
2. Remove ordeface all labelsandhazardwarnings.
3. Place inGlass Waste containers.
4. Once glasswaste containeris3/4 full,tie bagclosed,ensuringthatnoglassobjects