Skip to main content

Biological Waste

  •  Do not autoclave biological waste.
  • Label all waste bags and containers with PI name and date before final disposal.
  • Biological waste should be disposed of in designated biological waste bins, and the lid must close. If the biohazard bin is full, please use the QR code by the bin to submit a waste pickup; do not leave any containers or bags on the floor.
Biohazardous Sharp Waste

Includes

  • Glass pipettes
  • Syringes (with or without needles)
  • Glass slides and cover slips
  • Hypodermic needles
  • Razor blades, scalpel blades, t-pins

Collection

  • All biohazardous sharp waste must be disposed of in the biohazard sharps bin
Solid Biohazardous Waste

Includes

  • Plastic tubes, plastic bottles (emptied)
  • Plastic petri dishes
  • Flasks
  • Contaminated paper or gauze
  • Gloves
  • Small Tissue Pieces

Collection

  • All biohazardous waste must go in double red/orange biohazard bags
  • The bags must be in a rigid outer container while in use
Liquid Biohazardous Waste
  • Mix the waste with 1 part bleach to nine parts liquid, let stand 20 minutes then pour down the drain with plenty of running water
Burn Boxes/Incineration Boxes

Includes

  • Serological pipettes
  • Plastic automatic pipette tips
  • Plastic transfer pipettes

Disposal

  • When the container is 80% full, close it and dispose in the closest biohazard bin

Biological Waste Drop-Off Locations

Chicago Campus Locations

  • CCM: Lurie 1 Dock
  • Lurie: 3-228, 4-228, 5-228, 6-228, 7-228, 8-222, 9-271, 10-214, 11-220
  • McGaw: M-519, 0-540
  • Olsen: 8-402E, MRI 0-212
  • Searle: Freight elevator vestibules on floors 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13 and 15; 4-416
  • Simpson Querrey: Freight elevator vestibules on floors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11; 6-319
  • Tarry: 2-hallway, 3-745, 4-745, 6-707, 7-745, 8-751, 11-756A, 12-732, 13-703, 14-774, 15-758, 16-732, 16-758 (restricted)
  • Ward: 3-260, 6-003, 9-258 in 250, 9-312, 10-022, 11-100, 12-226, 12-hall, 13-134, 14-hall

Evanston Campus Locations

  • 1801 Maple: 2160, 4160, 6240
  • Tech: B-370 (restricted), DG-62 (accessible), E-211 (accessible),  J-115A (restricted)
  • Hogan: 5-141 (accessible)
  • Cook: 2-078 (restricted), 2-160 (accessible), 3-150 (accessible)
  • Mudd: 4600 (accessible), 5318 (accessible)
  • Pancoe: 3-343 (accessible), 4-343 (accessible)
  • Ryan: 1029 (restricted), 3029 (restricted)
  • Silverman: B-705 (accessible), 1-571 (restricted), 1-721 (restricted), 2-569 (restricted), 2-589 (restricted), 3-710 (restricted), 4-541 (accessible)
  • Frances-Searle: B-202 (restricted)