Biological Waste Guide
Laboratory Waste Disposal Guide
Safe handling and disposal of laboratory waste is critical in biological research labs to protect personnel, the environment, and the surrounding community. This guide provides best practices to foster a safety-first culture, ensuring that all lab waste is managed responsibly, while also adhering to regulatory requirements. Always consult permits (APHIS, PPQ, CDC, etc.) held by the lab, and follow any more stringent protocols required for specific projects or materials.
General Waste Handling Guidance
Safety is the priority when managing biological waste. Ensure all personnel are trained and competent in proper waste management procedures, from segregation to final disposal. Waste must be labeled, treated, and disposed of according to New York State (NYSDEC, DOH) and federal (OSHA) regulations.
Important: Always use containers that are designed to contain waste safely. Correct labeling, secure storage, and proper disposal methods reduce risk to staff and the environment. If unsure, consult with the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) office before disposal.
| Type of Item: | Laboratory waste contaminated with the following (see definitions below): | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biohazards A | Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid (r/sNA) B | Other Biological C | Chemical D | Chemotherapeutics E | |
| Regulated Sharps: (Syringes with needles, scalpel blades, glass blood vials, glass Pasteur pipettes) | Red Sharps Disposal Container into Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) Bin | Yellow Sharps Disposal Container into RMW Bin | |||
| Other Sharps: (Serological pipettes, micropipette tips, swabs, sticks, glass slides, razor blades, syringes without needles) | Red Sharps Disposal Container into RMW Bin | Red Sharps Disposal Container into RMW Bin OR Puncture-Resistant Container, Autoclave, then into Regular Trash1 | Puncture-Resistant Container into Regular Trash | Yellow Sharps Disposal Container into RMW Bin | |
| Disposable Non-Sharps: (Intact plasticware, gloves, gowns, paper towels, animal bedding) | Red Biohazard Bag into RMW Bin | Red Biohazard Bag into RMW Bin OR Clear Bag, Autoclave, then into Regular Trash | Clear Bag into Regular Trash | Yellow Biohazard Bag into RMW Bin | |
| Plant Materials: (Plants, soil, potting media) | Red Biohazard Bag into RMW Bin | Red Biohazard Bag into RMW Bin OR Autoclave, then into Regular Trash or Compost | Regular Trash or Compost - If regulated, autoclave or inactivate before disposal. | Consult hazardous waste manual or contact EHS | Yellow Biohazard Bag into RMW Bin |
| Carcasses and Tissues: (Separate liquid waste, refer to special disposal requirements for formalin2) | Red Biohazard Bag into RMW or Designated Carcass Bin | Clear Bag into RMW or Designated Carcass Bin | Consult hazardous waste manual or contact EHS | Yellow Biohazard Bag into RMW Bin | |
| Liquid Waste: (Liquid media, cultures, body fluids) | Treat with disinfectant (e.g., 1:10 bleach dilution) or Autoclave, then dispose down the drain with large volume of water | Consult hazardous waste manual or contact EHS | |||
| Mixed Wastes: (Hazardous chemicals or radioactive material mixed with biohazard waste) | Consult appropriate waste manual or contact EHS before generating such waste3 | ||||
Definitions of Contaminants
A. Contains or is potentially contaminated with human infectious agents, viral vectors, biologically derived toxins, human blood, body fluids, or animal tissues.
B. Recombinant, synthetic nucleic acids, genetically modified organisms. If infectious, refer to Biohazards A.
C. Non-infectious to humans or animals, includes environmental microorganisms and plant tissue cultures. For chemical contamination, refer to the “Chemical” column.
D. Disposable items contaminated with residual non-acutely toxic chemicals (e.g., phenol, xylene). Consult EHS for acutely toxic materials.
E. Items contaminated with residual chemotherapeutics, hormones, carcinogens, or synthetic analogs.
Footnotes
1. Non-glass sharps (e.g., plastic pipettes) should be placed in puncture-resistant containers (e.g., burn-up bins) before disposal in RMW bins to prevent injuries and ensure safe handling.
2. Liquids from carcasses (e.g., formalin) must be decanted and disposed of separately as chemical waste. Ensure carcasses are free from hazardous liquids before disposal.
3. Biological toxins (e.g., cholera toxin) must be collected in designated containers. Contact EHS for disposal information, and follow federal guidelines for toxins classified as select agents.
Questions about Waste Disposal?
Call EHS at (607)-255-8200, visit https://ehs.cornell.edu/, or email AskEHS@cornell.edu.
Need to Schedule a Hazardous Waste Pickup?
Schedule a pickup at: https://ehs.cornell.edu/environmental-compliance/hazardous-materials-waste/waste-pickups