Uncontaminated Waste and Broken Glass Collection in Labs
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.
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.
Items that are safe for trash, but may be suspect to a custodian, waste hauler or landfill facility should be disposed of in the uncontaminated laboratory waste box.
NEVER line an uncontaminated lab waste box with a red bag liner or seal with biohazard tape.
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 Waste Boxes
Uncontaminated broken glass and "pointy things" (items that might puncture a plastic bag) should be placed in the Uncontaminated Laboratory Waste & 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.
Chemically contaminated items must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Items contaminated with biohazardous material must be disposed as biowaste. Materials that could puncture the box (needles, razor blades, scalpel blades, etc) must be managed as sharps.
Close & Dispose
When full, lab personnel tie, tape, or securely close the bag liner in some way and then close the box - be careful not to overfill the Uncontaminated Laboratory Waste & Broken Glass Box. Lab personnel remove full boxes from the lab, bring them to, and place them inside a dumpster or compactor. Custodial services will not remove these containers from labs or hallways. Never abandon a Uncontaminated Laboratory Waste & Broken Glass Box on a loading dock or biowaste shed.
