Used/Broken Glass
Definition
Broken, used, or unwanted glassware is a common type of waste generated at MSU. Improper disposal of glassware can lead to injury of those handling these wastes. All glassware, including empty containers, pipettes, slides, plates, tubes, flasks, and beakers should be properly handled for disposal.
**If you have a broken mercury thermometer, or you are unsure of the contents of the broken thermometer, do not try to clean up the area or treat the spill. Immediately contact MSU EHS Waste Staff to assist**
Container Type
Broken glass must be collected in rigid containers that can be sealed when ready for disposal. These are the different types of broken glassware and recommended container types:
Uncontaminated Glass
Uncontaminated broken glassware must be placed in a cardboard box or a 5-gallon bucket with a lid. Single use glass disposal boxes are available from a variety of vendors through University Stores in Spartan Marketplace.
**Insert example photos of container types and lids**
Biologically Contaminated Glass
Fixed Tissue – If the glass slides contain fixed or stained blood, cells, and tissues they can be securely packaged (i.e. cardboard box and tape) to prevent a cut hazard and placed in the general refuse trash regardless of if they are intact or broken.
Unfixed Tissue – If the glass slides contain unfixed or unstained blood, cells, and tissues, they will need to be placed in a red medical waste sharps container and submitted for pick up through the EHS Safety Portal regardless of if they are intact or broken.
Alternatively, unfixed slides can be autoclaved in a solid walled container, and then securely packaged and placed in the general refuse trash.
**Insert example photos of container types and lids**
Chemically Contaminated Glass
Broken glassware that has visibly heavy chemical contamination, and no free liquids, should be collected in a rigid container for disposal with EHS.
Storage
Broken glass containers should be intact. Both IPF Custodial Services and EHS Hazardous Waste Staff will reject any broken glass containers with compromised integrity. Damaged containers will need to be repackaged prior to disposal.
The following materials should never be disposed of in a broken glass container:
- Sharps, syringes, needles
- Mercury containing materials (i.e. thermometers, manometers, etc.)
- Biological Materials
- Chemicals
- Radioactive Materials
MSU Waste Tag Required
Yes: A MSU Waste Tag is required for chemically contaminated glassware that cannot be thrown in the general refuse trash and will be disposed of through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program.
No: A MSU Waste Tag is not needed for uncontaminated and biologically contaminated broken glass.
MSU Waste Tags must be directly affixed to the waste container either with string, a twist tie, chain and clipboard, rubber band, or tape. MSU Waste Tags are provided by EHS and can be requested through an EHS Hazardous Waste Request.
Labeling
Uncontaminated Glass
Containers should be labeled “Broken Glass” on at least two opposing sides.
Biologically Contaminated Glass
Fixed tissues on slides should be labeled “Broken Glass” on at least two opposing sides of the container. Unfixed tissues on slides contained in a red sharps container must have MSU’s pre-printed sharps labels be affixed to the container.
Chemically Contaminated Glass
A MSU Waste Tag should be filled out and completed for chemically contaminated glassware. The contact information at the top of the MSU Waste Tag must be filled out to identify where the hazardous waste was generated, the container size and type, and who to contact with questions regarding the waste container.
The Contents should be “Broken Glass contaminated with…” with the description of the materials and 100% listed in the Volume column. Check the applicable hazards at the bottom of the MSU Waste Tag.
Guidance on how to accurately fill out the MSU Waste Tag can be found in the Waste Section of the EHS website located here.
Submit Hazardous Waste Request
Uncontaminated glassware and broken glassware with fixed materials can be placed in the general refuse trash once the container has been properly sealed and labeled.
When the container for broken glassware with unfixed materials or chemical contaminated glass is full or close to the 90-day accumulation limit, submit a Hazardous Waste Request via the EHS Safety Portal as follows:
- EHS Website: ehs.msu.edu
- Log in into the Safety Portal through a preferred web browser using your MSU Net ID and EBS Password
- Select Hazardous Waste Request
- Sharps are found under the Common Process category
- Hazardous Waste Solid is found under the Waste Container category