Waste disposal
The following waste disposal guidelines should be followed in all areas. In addition to the safety aspect, there are also cost implications for the department if waste is disposed of incorrectly.
Waste disposal guidelines (PDF, 363KB)
Waste containers and bags can be obtained through the Chemistry Stores.
Categories for waste disposal:
Chemically contaminated materials
Type of liner: White plastic bag
Type of waste:
Paper towels
Tissue with chemical residue
Gloves
Weighing boats and papers
Disposal: Secure bag and return to the Chemistry Stores
Restrictions:
No glass
No needles or blades
No loose chemicals
Additional comments: Chemically contaminated materials waste bins are normally red in research laboratories and white in teaching laboratories. Wear suitable PPE when handling specialist chemically contaminated materials waste.
Domestic waste
Type of liner: Black plastic bag
Type of waste:
Paper towels and tissues
Food packaging
Empty plastic bottles, cups and drinks cans
Disposal: Daily by cleaning staff unless considered contaminated
Restrictions:
No glass
No needles or blades
No loose chemicals
Glass
Type of liner: None
Type of waste:
All glass after decontamination
Solid objects not suitable for domestic waste
Small metal parts such as screws and nails
Disposal: Laboratory users should take the bin to the skip and empty
Restrictions:
No paper
No needles or blades
No loose chemicals
Additional comments: Wear suitable PPE when emptying
Sharps
Type of liner: None
Type of waste:
Syringe needles
Blades
Disposal: Secure lid and return sealed container to the Chemistry Stores
Restrictions:
No paper
No loose chemicals
Additional comments: Wear suitable PPE when handling the sharps container
Offensive waste
Type of liner: Yellow with a black stripe plastic bag
Type of waste:
Inactivated waste and uncontaminated laboratory consumables
Pipette tips
Pipette tips should be placed in a puncture proof secondary container
Disposal: Secure bag and return to the Chemistry Stores
Restrictions:
No paper
No needles or blades
No loose chemicals
Additional comments: Wear suitable PPE when handling the offensive waste bag
Specialist waste
Type of liner: None
Type of waste and disposal: Biological waste training should be completed before using these waste containers
Restrictions:
No paper
No needles or blades
No loose chemicals
Additional comments: Wear suitable PPE when handling specialist waste boxes
Paper recycling
Type of liner: Blue plastic bag
Type of waste:
All paper
Newspapers
Magazines
Thin card
Disposal: Cleaning staff or porters
Restrictions:
No glass
No needles or blades
No loose chemicals
Additional comments: Do not overfill
Batteries
Type of liner: Not applicable
Type of waste: Batteries
Disposal: Take directly to the Chemistry Stores
Additional comments: All batteries must be individually wrapped in a self sealing plastic bag before disposal. Large batteries require the terminals to be taped up with insulating tape to prevent shorting.