Certain materials generated by research lab activities must be disposed of as “regulated medical waste”. The information presented here will assist you with categorizing, packaging and labeling waste materials that fall into the category of biohazardous or regulated medical waste. Adherence to these guidelines will ensure compliance with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulatory standards and the NIH Guidelines for Research with Recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.
For guidance on disposal of regulated medical waste and sharps generated by Chemistry Department research, please see Chemistry Department Biohazardous Waste Disposal.
Includes lab consumables and materials such as gloves, culture flasks, well plates, conical tubes that have come in contact with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, human-derived and BSL 1 and 2 materials.
Solids should be collected in a solid-walled, leak-proof container that is labeled as a biohazard.
All waste materials that have come in contact with BSL 2 agents and/or materialsthat could potentially cause infections in humans or animals must be treated prior to disposal as regulated medical waste. The preferred method of treatment is autoclaving. After the waste has been autoclaved, place into regulated medical waste disposal box.
When bag is full or has been autoclaved, place solid wastes into cardboard regulated medical waste boxes that have been lined with a red biohazard bag.
*Hypodermic needles, syringes to which a needle can be attached and blades must be disposed of as sharps if generated in any lab, regardless of the nature of the research.
Labs are responsible for obtaining their own sharps containers through University stockrooms or scientific supply companies. Sharps containers must be:
Laboratory glass and plastic waste items that are not considered sharps can puncture regular waste bags and injure our janitorial staff.
Laboratory glass and plastic waste includes the following items:
Note: Pasteur pipettes, used or unused, must be disposed of as sharps waste.
Biologically uncontaminated pipettes:
If these items have not been in contact with materials that contain infectious agents, including human and non-human primate-derived material, or recombinant/synthetic nucleic acid molecules:
Biologically contaminated pipettes:
If these items have been in contact with potentially infectious materials, such as body fluids, cell debris, or other materials that may contain infectious agents or recombinant /synthetic nucleic acid molecules there are several acceptable practices for collection, treatment and disposal: