Sharps Disposal
Sharps are defined as any device having corners, edges, or projections capable of cutting or piercing the skin. See figure 1.
Sharps can include needles, needles with syringes, needles from vacutainers, needles with attached tubing, blades (razors, scalpels, X-acto, etc.), broken glassware, glassware with sharp edges or points, pastuer pipettes, and glass microscope slides.
Regulated waste refers to waste contaminated with some kind of hazardous substance: RCRA-regulated chemical or biologic or radioactive.
Sharps not contaminated with regulated waste 1. needles, wires, razor blades, scalpels etc. 2.glass items |
Non-red puncture-resistant sharps container; no biohazard markings; label container with “NON-HAZARDOUS SHARPS WASTE”; dispose to broken glass box. Broken glass box labeled “BROKEN GLASS” or “GLASS DISPOSAL” |
Sharps contaminated with biohazardous materials ALL glass items and needles, wires, razor blades, scalpels etc. |
RED sharps container (Figure 2); |
Sharps contaminated with hazardous chemicals or drugs |
Contact the Regulatory Compliance Office to obtain an appropriate waste container. |
Sharps contaminated with radioactive materials |
Contact the Regulatory Compliance Office to obtain an appropriate waste container. |
labeled with biohazard markings; either autoclave and place in glass disposal box (Figure 3) or leave untreated and request a hazardous waste pick-up from the Regulatory Compliance Office.