Uncontaminated Waste and Broken Glass Collection in Labs
Some wastes pose hazards to custodians, waste haulers, or landfill facilities but are not chemically, biologically, or otherwise contaminated or "hazardous" wastes.
Labels saying "Uncontaminated Laboratory Waste" are available to UVM labs to help label the removal of UNCONTAMINATED laboratory waste from both the biohazardous and chemical waste streams.
NEVER line an uncontaminated lab waste box with a red bag liner or seal with biohazard tape.
Laboratory glassware cannot currently be recycled. Uncontaminated broken glass should be disposed of in a corrugated cardboard box labeled "Broken Glass" or "Uncontaminated Lab Waste" or in a purchased box that says "Glass Box" from lab supply vendors.
Lab personnel are responsible for handling and disposing of boxes of broken glass. If you have a large glass box, the lab is responsible for getting it to the compactor or dumpster for your specific lab building. Use a cart to transport it, tape all the box seams before filling or moving, and buddy lift if the box is heavy.
Disposal of Full Uncontaminated/Broken Glass Boxes
Chemically-contaminated materials must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
Items contaminated with biohazardous material must be disposed as biowaste.
Needles, razor blades, scalpel blades, etc) must be managed as sharps waste.
Do not place any of these materials in an uncontaminated lab waste box.
How to Dispose
HOW TO DISPOSE OF UNCONTAMINATED LAB WASTE
When your box is full, lab personnel must tie up the liner bag inside the box and tape all seams on the box. Never overfill an Uncontaminated Lab Waste Box.
Lab Personnel are required to bring uncontaminated lab waste boxes to the building dumpster or compactor. Place the box inside of the dumpster or compactor.
Custodial services staff will not move these containers from labs or lab building hallways. Never abandon an Uncontaminated Lab Waste Box on a loading dock.
Examples of Items to Include in Uncontaminated/Broken Glass Boxes
Uncontaminated broken glass and "pointy things" (items that might puncture a plastic bag) should be placed in a Uncontaminated Laboratory Waste or a Broken Glass box. Examples of items that should be disposed in these boxes include any of the following that are NOT contaminated with hazardous chemicals, biological agents, or radioactive materials:
- broken glass
- serological pipettes
- pipette tips
- glass pasteur pipettes
- empty syringes (NO NEEDLES)
- empty conical tubes
- empty eppendorf tubes
- empty vials
As a reminder, uncontaminated gloves, paper towels, plastic wrap, and small boxes can be placed into regular lab trash and recycling and do not need to be disposed of in the uncontaminated laboratory waste boxes.
