Handling different types of lab waste

By: Terry Jo Gile October 22nd, 2009

Chemical waste must be handled according to the manufacturer’s requirements on the material safety data sheets (MSDS). Hazardous chemical disposal is regulated through state and local governmental agencies. It is important to get proper authorization from these agencies to dispose of the chemicals and utilize licensed lab-packing companies to package and ship the chemical waste for proper disposal.

Regulated waste is placed in containers that are closable and constructed to contain all contents and to prevent fluids from leaking during handling, storage, transport, or shipping. The containers are labeled and closed before removal to prevent the contents from spilling or protruding during handling, storage, transport, or shipping. If outside contamination of the regulated waste container occurs, it is placed in a second container that has the same qualities as the first (e.g., closable, leak-proof) and is handled in the same manner.

Biohazard waste must be placed in waste containers with the biohazard symbol on them. Often facilities will use a color-coding system (e.g., red bags or red containers) to delineate biohazard trash. If a red trash container is used, the container as well as the bag inside must have the biohazard symbol. The symbol can be black on a red bag or container or orange-red on any other colored bag or container. Some autoclavable bags are clear with the symbol in black or red-orange.

The International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 15190 recommends autoclaving of all microbiological specimens before they are placed into the waste stream as trash. Once autoclaved, they can go out as regular trash as they are no longer considered infectious. However, some facilities send their microbiological waste from the laboratory to an in-house autoclave (e.g., San-i-Pak) for processing before it is sent to a landfill.

Sharps containers can be made of anything as long as they are leak-proof on the sides and bottom and puncture resistant. Keep sharps containers upright throughout use. Check containers routinely and dispose of them when three-quarters full. OSHA does not require that sharps containers be puncture-proof, only puncture resistant. Sharps containers must have the biohazard symbol prominently displayed on the container.

Again, the same rule applies – a black symbol on a red container or an orange-red symbol on any other color of container. Sharps containers must be placed within arms reach of the user. Dispose of all sharps immediately (or as soon as possible) in a sharps container. When containers of sharps are moved from the area of use, the containers should be closed and placed in a secondary container if they may leak.

Make every effort to recycle waste. This includes items such as plastic, glass, and paper as appropriate. In addition, chemicals that can be recycled such as alcohol and xylene should be done to protect the environment. Substitutions of non-hazardous chemicals for hazardous ones are also encouraged by accreditation agencies such as The Joint Commission and College of American Pathologists.

Employees are encouraged to recycle in appropriate containers, which are placed strategically throughout the area. Often the recycling containers are blue with the recycling symbol on them. There should be separate containers for glass, cans, plastic, paper, etc.

Regular trash includes the remainder of waste in the laboratory that poses no health or environmental risk. This is disposed of through routine facility waste streams in appropriate containers.

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Terry Jo Gile



Terry Jo Gile, MT(ASCP), MA Ed.,The Safety Lady® has more than 40 years experience as a certified medical technologist. As president of her own consulting firm, Safety Lady LLC, she is a world renowned speaker and consultant who helps organizations create safety savvy laboratories. Click the links to visit her Web site and her blog.

Terry Jo has written 49 posts.

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