Biohazardous Waste

Biohazardous Waste

Biohazardous waste generated at UNH must be chemically disinfected, physically inactivated, or shipped off-site for incineration following procedures in the UNH Biohazardous Waste Disposal Plan.

Chemicals and radiologicals ARE NOT allowed in any biological waste stream. Contact the Hazardous Materials Manager or Radiation Safety Officer for guidance on disposal of these materials. 

Medical Sharps & Contaminated Glass Disposal

Medical sharps or glass that has been in contact with infectious materials:

Disposal Procedure

  • Needles
  • Syringes
  • Scalpels
  • Razor blades
  • Microscope slides
  • Cover slips
  • Glass cuvettes
  • Capillary tubes

Uncontaminated Glass Disposal

Glass that has been chemically disinfected:

Disposal Procedure

  • Microscope slides
  • Cover slips
  • Glass cuvettes
  • Capillary tubes

Liquid Infectious Waste Disposal

Liquid lab waste that is infectious or has been in contact with infectious material:

Disposal Procedure

  • Cultures
  • Blood
  • Bodily fluids
  • Cell culture media
  • Other liquid media (e.g. buffers, etc.)

Solid Infectious Waste Disposal

Non-glass solid or semi-solid lab waste  that is infectious or has been in contact with infectious material:

Disposal Procedure

  • Plates
  • Tubes
  • Gloves
  • Paper 
  • Serological pipettes
  • Pipette tips
If your biological waste does not fall into one of the categories listed above it may be disposed of in regular trash.