Biohazardous Waste

Definition

MSU requires that all employees involved in the generation, handling and disposal of biohazardous waste (which includes biological solid waste that cannot be autoclaved and blood tubes) comply with the provisions of the Biohazardous Waste Management Plan (PDF).

At MSU, the term biohazardous waste is used to describe different types of waste that might include infectious agents. Most of the biohazardous waste at MSU is decontaminated by either autoclave or chemical disinfection. However, when biologicals are combined with chemicals, the standard disposal methods of autoclaving or disinfecting with bleach prior to pouring down the sink are not options These biological and chemical wastes are the most common type of dual waste generated at MSU. The disposal of this dual waste is on a case-by-case basis due to the type of biological material being used and the compatibility of the chemical compounds in the waste.

The following types of biohazardous and dual waste must be disposed of through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program:

Blood Tubes
Liquids: any liquid that contains a hazardous material which prevents the biological component from being disinfected or autoclaved and is not allowed for sink disposal.
Solids: non-sharps that may contain other hazardous materials (i.e. chemicals, heavy metals, and/or radioactive materials).

Disposal procedures for liquid cultures, stocks, blood products, bodily fluids, and animal wastes not containing hazardous materials are described in the MSU Biohazardous Waste Management Plan.

Before discussing dual biohazardous and chemical waste in more detail, please be aware that the following cell culture and microbial culture media additives are safe to autoclave or decontaminate with bleach treatment:

TSB (tryptic soy broth)
RPMI
DMEM
HGF
FBS
BSA
Streptomycin
Penicillin
other antibiotics
PBS
Antifungals
pH indicators
HEPES
amino acids
trypsin
L-glutamine
sodium pyruvate

Blood Tubes

Blood Tube - Disposal Information

One former detergent bottle and one clear 1-gallon former reagent bottle filled with blood tubes.

Dual Biological/Chemical Waste - Liquid

Dual Biological/Chemical Waste - Liquid - Disposal Information

Former ethanol bottle with label completely defaced, the words “Hazardous Waste” on the bottle, and a MSU Waste Tag attached. EHS provided 5-gallon carboy with the words hazardous waste on the label and a MSU Waste Tag attached.

Dual Biological/Chemical Waste – Solid

Dual Biological/Chemical Waste - Solid - Disposal Information

Metal bin on the floor with hinged lid and foot opener containing an orange biohazard bag and biohazard stickers on exterior. A benchtop plastic container with snap lid containing an orange biohazard bag and biohazard stickers on exterior.