Chapter 15: Biohazardous Waste Disposal
Montana State Law regulates disposal of waste through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Biohazard, medical or infectious waste includes materials capable of spreading infectious disease, such as cultures of infectious agents, tissues and organs removed during procedures, human blood and its components, blood-soaked items, and used sharps from healthcare or laboratory settings. This waste must be stored separately from regular trash in clearly labeled biohazard containers. Sharps must be placed in leak-proof, puncture-resistant, rigid containers that are securely sealed. Other infectious waste must be stored in durable, moisture-resistant bags (such as red bags) that are tightly closed to prevent leaks or spills.
Approved treatment methods for infectious waste in Montana include incineration, autoclaving, and chemical disinfection processes that render the waste safe for disposal. Additionally, any employee responsible for handling infectious waste must receive proper training from their employer to ensure the waste is managed safely and in compliance with state regulations.
All biohazardous waste must be disposed of by following institutional policy and Montana State law. The following types of waste are identified and defined as biohazardous waste:
- Biological agents listed in this plan
- Human liquid blood, blood products and body fluids
- Human tissues and anatomical remains
- Materials contaminated or potentially contaminated with biological agents during the manipulation or clean-up of material generated during research and/or teaching activities
- Animal carcasses, body parts, blood, fluids, and bedding from animals infected with RG2 or RG3 biological agents
- Animal carcasses, body parts, blood, fluids, and bedding from animals infected with genetically modified biological agents
- Animal carcasses, body parts, blood, fluids, and bedding from animals known or suspected to be reservoirs for zoonotic agents (e.g., NHP materials)
- Animal carcasses exposed to a chemical hazard (e.g., chemotherapeutic agents)
Labeling Biohazardous Waste
All biohazardous waste must be labeled with the universal biohazard symbol, laboratory room number, PI, and list the biohazardous agents in the waste.
Handling and Disposal of Biohazardous Waste
Sharps
Sharps include all needles, lancets, scalpels, and other similar medical instruments (contaminated or not), as well as contaminated Pasteur pipettes and non-broken or broken glass, and other instruments or materials that can cut or puncture personnel.
- Sharps must be collected in closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof on sides and bottom, and labeled with the biohazard symbol.
- Sharps containers must be designed so that sharps can be safely introduced into the container but not easily retrieved.
- Sharp containers must not be filled past pre-marked “fill level”
When the sharps container is filled to the marked line on the exterior of the container, staff must seal the container and contact EHS for pick up.
Solid Biohazardous Waste
Solid biohazardous waste includes disposable PPE (e.g., gloves, shoe covers), microbial agents, disposable plasticware, disposable pipettes, and contaminated material (e.g., paper towels, Kimwipes). These materials are collected in orange or clear biohazard bags that are double-lined, loosely closed, labeled, and autoclaved. After autoclaving, waste is placed into black trash bags and disposed of in the dumpster.
Animal Carcasses, Body Parts, and Tissues
Infectious animal carcasses, are placed in a red biohazard bag secured with a plastic tie and either autoclaved or incinerated through the Laboratory Animal Resources. The LAR Manager or BSO can assist you in ensuring infectious carcasses are disposed of properly. All non-preserved carcasses should be stored in a freezer or cold storage area prior to disposal. Secure limbs and sharp protrusions so they do not puncture the bag.
Human Tissues and/or Anatomical Remains
Human tissues and anatomical remains must be treated as infectious waste. These materials must be stored in leak-proof, labeled containers and refrigerated if held for more than seven days prior to disposal. Recognizable body parts, other than teeth, must be disposed of by incineration or interment. Other approved treatment methods for infectious waste include: steam sterilization that renders waste noninfectious; or chemical sterilization using standard or scientifically validated methods approved by state and federal authorities.
Liquid Biohazardous Waste
Liquid biohazardous waste includes all blood and liquid waste from humans or animals, and all other contaminated liquid waste (e.g., microbial cultures). Collect liquid waste in sealable, rigid, leak-proof containers labeled with the universal biohazard symbol.
- Human and animal blood and body fluids can be disposed of by chemically disinfecting the liquid with bleach or other approved chemical, for the appropriate contact time, and then flushing directly to the sanitary sewer. Please refer to Chapter 14, Chemical Disinfection and Disinfectant Selection sections for more information.
- All other liquid waste must be autoclaved or treated with a disinfectant prior to disposal.
- Liquid waste treated with bleach or MicroChem can be disposed of by flushing directly to the sanitary sewer after sufficient contact time what is sufficient contact time. Liquid waste treated with other chemical disinfectants must be disposed of as hazardous chemical waste through Check with the Biosafety Officer and/or EHS with questions.
Uncontaminated Laboratory Glassware and Broken Glass
Collect uncontaminated laboratory glassware and broken glass in designated rigid containers (separate from other waste) that will prevent cuts and punctures to personnel. Containers should be labeled “broken glass.” The rigid containers with broken glass (often a cardboard box or a 5-gallon plastic bucket) are taped shut and disposed of in the dumpster.