Biohazard Waste

Solid biohazard waste, also referred to as biomedical waste, includes any plasticware such as dishes, plates, flasks, tubes, serological pipettes as well as gloves, paper towels or other solid materials that come into contact with biohazards. It is important to note that it is nearly impossible to distinguish biohazard contaminated plasticware vs clean or non-biohazard plasticware. It is therefore necessary to use the biohazard/biomedical waste stream to dispose of these types of materials. If the state of the plasticware is unknown, it is always considered to be contaminated.

1. Prior to disposal, all liquids must be removed. @Containment Level 2: Plasticware that has been in contact with RG2 material must be decontaminated prior to removal. This can be done with 10% bleach for 30 minutes or another suitable disinfectant for the prescribed contact time. After decontaminating, the liquid is to be removed as liquid waste.
   Liquid waste may be removed by:
   • Decanting or aspirating to a dedicated liquid waste container (see the next tab for Liquid Waste procedures),
   • Absorbing into absorbent material such as paper towels, diapers, or kitty litter, or
   • The Biowaste Packaging -Dry, Liquid and Frozen SOP, for MUMC/MDCL only is typically used for freezer cleans outs or disposing of a large amount of frozen material.
   Note: if you are disposing of wet solid material, ensure there is enough absorbent material added to the waste bag to prevent leaks.


2. Items are then placed inside a lined biohazard waste container which has a biohazard sticker either on the bag itself or the waste container. @Containment Level 2: The biohazard waste container must be within the BSC.


3. When the solid waste container is 2/3 full, the bag is closed and building specific procedures are followed for use of a biohazard box or tote an  disposal location. @Containment Level 2: The biohazard waste container is closed within the BSC and then sprayed with 70% ethanol (or another suitable disinfectant) prior to removal from the BSC.

There are specific procedures for disposing of non-biohazardous clean glass which is completely separate from the biohazard waste stream. For these situations clean glass (whole or broken) is to be placed in a cardboard box, labelled as "Glass or Broken Glass" and placed in the designated waste pick up area. Please refer to SOP for Bulk Disposal of Histological Slides prior to disposal.

Sharps such as needles, syringes, scalpels, Pasteur pipettes, and broken contaminated glassware must be disposed of through the Biohazard/Biomedical waste stream.

1. Prior to disposal, all liquids must be removed. @Containment Level 2: Sharps that have been in contact with RG2 material must be decontaminated prior to removal. This can be done with 10% bleach for 30 minutes or another suitable disinfectant for the prescribed contact time. After decontaminating, the liquid is to be removed as liquid waste.


2. Sharps are then placed inside a Puncture Proof Sharps Container labelled with a biohazard symbol. @Containment Level 2: The biohazard sharps container must be within the BSC.


3. Close the sharps container when it is 2/3 full, and follow building specific procedures for use of a biohazard box or tote and disposal location. @Containment Level 2: The biohazard sharps container is closed within the BSC and then sprayed with 70% ethanol (or another suitable disinfectant) prior to removal from the BSC.

Liquids MUST be separated from solid waste and cannot go into the solid waste stream.

1. All liquids must be aspirated and disposed of as biohazardous liquid waste.


2. Treat biohazardous liquids with enough bleach to make a 10% final v/v bleach solution and let sit 30 minutes. Alternatively, other disinfectant solutions may be used according to the manufacturer's specifications.


3. After decontamination, follow the manufacturer's specifications for disposal which may include pouring down the sink with running water or package for chemical waste disposal.


• Alternatively, liquid waste may be absorbed onto absorbent material and discarded as solid waste. Ensure you have sufficient absorbent material to prevent leaks.


4. Always check your decontamination solution prior to mixing and NEVER mix decontamination solutions! Certain chemical combinations (including common lab reagents + bleach) produce toxic gas when mixed.