Wastes

Every lab accumulates unwanted or expired materials. Whether chemicals, biological materials, sharps, batteries or equipment, it is important that unwanted materials are disposed of properly.

Batteries and Miscellaneous
EH&S has put together some guidelines of disposal for many common items which can help ensure the University’s compliance with environmental regulations.

Biological Materials
Biohazardous waste that goes directly to the landfill may NOT contain pathogens and first must be decontaminated by autoclaving in either a CLEAR OR ORANGE autoclave bags. Both clear and orange colored autoclave bags are available from Fisher via MDS.

Laboratories should place a green “OK To Trash” sticker on autoclaved waste, filled out with the lab name and room number.  The green sticker informs Physical Plant custodial personnel that the bag only contains autoclaved material and does NOT contain SHARPS. Green “OK to Trash” stickers are available from either EH&S or from the CoE Director for Safety.

If you have animal tissue or pathogenic bedding materials, please follow the instructions from EH&S Disposal Services.

Expired or Unwanted Chemicals
1. Please do not label any of your chemicals as “waste”. Waste is an EPA designated term that only EH&S Disposal Services should use to label unwanted chemicals.
2. To have unwanted chemicals picked up at your lab, fill out the inventory form. When the inventory form is complete, please fill out the online Chemical Disposal/Surplus Pickup Request form to request the pickup.

If you are looking for assistance with a larger lab clean out, contact CoE Safety.

Equipment
Computer equipment, reusable lab-ware, and lab equipment can be collected by UW-Madison’s surplus department, SWAP.  Acceptable material includes non-hazardous lab equipment and supplies, salable furniture in good condition, office supplies, maintenance equipment and household supplies. SWAP accepts all computers and computer peripherals regardless of condition but all other property must be in salable condition. With the exception of appliances, most non-functioning lab equipment can be accepted and re-purposed as parts or repair devices.

Oily Rags and Absorbent Pads

Although not considered Hazardous Waste, oil rags and absorbent pads remain under state and federal regulation as a Universal Waste and must be handled appropriately. A PDF has been created for reference on management of oily rags and absorbent pads.

Sharps
Syringes, broken glass, specimen slides and razors may not go directly to the landfill. You can reference the Sharps Disposal Poster for assistance in determining the appropriate method for disposing of sharps. MERI Collection bins are found near the loading docks for disposal of sharps containers.