Hazardous material disposal

The disposal map of the lab to the left indicates the temporary storage areas for hazardous waste.

• Sharps - needles, razor blades, and other items that are easily capable of the skin. These go in sharps bins, indicated by syringes on the map on the back benches of 1A and 4B. Do not detach needles from syringes or attempt to recap them - the whole unit should go in the bin for disposal. When 3/4 full, close and call Hazmat disposal at 763-4568 to arrange pickup. New bins and lids are in the TIRF room
• Biohazardous waste - there is a step-can waste bin underneath bench 1b. When full, the biohazardous waste is carried in a biohazard-appropriate secondary container to the basement, where the bag is placed in a disposal bin to be decontaminated and disposed of by professionals.
• Broken glass - there is a standing cardboard box designated for broken glass, including pasteur pipettes, broken beakers, glass tubes, etc. Make sure there is no standing liquid in the glass. When full, package and call Hazmat disposal at 763-4568 for pickup. New boxes are in the TIRF room.
• Biohazardous samples - live organisms like bacteria should be decontaminated before flushing. Bleach is under the sink - a 10% solution incubated for 10 min is sufficient to kill the organisms, which can then be washed down the sink. If bleach is too noxious for you or your coworkers, there is a detergent-based bleach alternative available under the sink.
• Plastic pipettes - though not hazardous, plastic serological pipettes are collected for recycling. There is a box in the lab (currently in the kneehole under bench 3b) to deposit them. When nearly full, the box should be sealed with packaging tape and left in the basement UPS delivery area. The boxes are available near the biohazard bins in the basement and are pre-labeled to ship to the recycler.
• Radioactive material, BSL2+, animal waste - the Cianfrocco lab is not currently approved for these types of experiments. Experiments of this nature will require special training and equipment not supported in 3NW, and should be performed in a collaborating lab. Do not bring your own equipment! Use equipment designated for the area and leave it there to avoid contamination.
• Chemical waste - Cianfrocco lab standard protocols are designed to eliminate waste requiring specialized disposal. Most chemicals and reagents can be flushed down the sink with appropriate dilution. There are chemical disposal areas in the fume hood equipment bay which may be used to track waste, should the need arise. Call EHS at 647-1143 for instructions on instituting a chemical waste pickup program, or work with nearby faculty if items for disposal are compatible with existing receptacles.