BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL GUIDELINES

Scope: This guideline is intended to assist all academic/ research units in the proper accumulation and disposal of any biohazardous waste that is generated
as a result of research, animal medical procedures, teaching and other activities.

Definition of Biohazardous Waste: Any waste contaminated with infectious materials or potentially infectious substances such as blood and pathogens
that requires biological inactivation in an approved manner prior to final disposal and all sharp wastes, whether contaminated or not which can cause injury
during handling.

Examples: Microbiological cultures, human or animal cell/ tissue cultures, blood, body fluids, infectious agents, human vaccines, biological toxins, transgenic
organism, contaminated lab wares, clinical specimens, needle and syringes, carcasses etc.

Waste Treatment & Disposing Procedure

MATERIAL METHOD

Contaminated Liquid/ Add bleach to dilute the liquid waste to a final concentration of 10%, soak for 30 minutes. Then rinse down the sink with copious amount of
Semiliquid running water.
Wastes
E.g. blood, body fluid, broth etc. OR ALTERNATIVELY

Decontaminate by Autoclaving the liquids. After autoclaving, the liquids may be disposed down the drain with copious amount of running water.

Contaminated Sharps 1. Place in the designated puncture resistance yellow sharps bin.
E.g. Needles, pipette tips, scalpel, 2. Do not recap, bend, or remove needles from syringe.
slides, broken glass, capillary 3. Fill full, snap the lid closed and secured. Do Not Overfill. Over filling or forced- filling may result in puncture wounds.
tubes etc.) 4. Place in the main biohazard waste collection bin for scheduled pick-up.

Non-Sharp Solid Wastes
(For Autoclave)
E.g. Contaminated disposable
items/ soil, cultures, bandages
etc.)
1. Collect material in clear Autoclave Bag (request from lab staffs) or designated biohazard waste container in lab. Do not overfill the bag/ bin.
2. Seal the bag loosely, attach a strip of autoclave tape and send to Autoclave Room for sterilization.
3. Following treatment, seal bag tightly and label as TREATED WASTE.
4. Dispose in designated biohazard waste collection bin.

Contaminated Reusable/ Non- 1. Collect in clear autoclave bag and seal loosely.
Disposable Items 2. Attach autoclave tape strip, place in autoclave tray and send to Autoclave Room for sterilization.
E.g. glass petri dish, culture tubes, 3. After treatment, wash the items with soap and water and let dry.
flasks, test tubes etc.

Animal Carcasses/ Body Parts/ **To be disposed by means of incineration only**

Infectious Bedding & Waste
1. Place in double yellow biohazard plastic bag. Fill in the bag no more than full.
2. Twist the bag at the top; bend the twisted portion to form a loop and seal tightly using cable tie. Each bag must be sealed separately.
3. Label the content of the bag with WASTE FOR INCINERATION tag.
4. Place the sealed bag in the designated -20oC freezer until removal.
5. Coordinate with Lab Management to schedule for waste pick-up by licensed contractor.

Cytotoxic waste **To be disposed by means of incineration only**

1. (a) Liquid waste: Collect into leak-proof bottle. Seal the cap tightly when full.
(b) Solid waste: Collect in yellow biohazard bag, seal and place into sturdy box/ bin. Seal box with tape.
2. Label clearly as CYTOTOXIC WASTE- FOR INCINERATION ONLY. Any other specific hazard must be noted on the label as well.
3. Place at the biohazard waste collection point for scheduled pick-up.

Ethidium Bromide Aqueous Solution (<10ug/mL) :

May be discarded to the drain. Flush with copious amount of water.

Aqueous Solution (>10ug/mL):

1. Collect liquid in waste containers that are labeled with WASTE ETHIDIUM BROMIDE (MUTAGEN). Avoid contaminating the outside of the
bottle.
2. When full, close and seal the container.
3. Place in designated chemical waste collection area for scheduled waste pick-up.

Ethidium Bromide-contaminated Gels/ Disposables:

1. Collect in double-biohazard plastic bags/ biohazard waste bin. Do Not Overfill.
2. Label with WASTE ETHIDIUM BROMIDE (MUTAGEN) FOR INCINERATION.
3. Seal the container properly. Dispose at designated biohazard waste collection area.

Autoclave Room operation schedule:

10.00 am, 12.00 noon, 3.00 pm daily.
(No operation on weekend/ Public holidays)

2015