How to Dispose of Plastic Tissue-Culture Pipettes

• Select an acceptable container:
  • The pipettes' original box with a clear plastic bag placed inside.
  • Any other rigid, puncture-proof container
• Label the container "Non-hazardous."
• Dispose of the container.
  • If you used the original box, tie the liner bag and tape the box closed.
  • If you stored the pipettes in a storage container, close and seal the container.
  • Place the sealed box or container into a regular laboratory trash can.

• Select an acceptable storage container: Options for pipettes contaminated with hazardous materials include:
  • The original pipette box with a plastic bag placed inside
  • A sharps storage container, available in 2 sizes from STORE:
    • 28 liter, part # 7764
    • 7.5 gallon, part # 7765
  • Recycled rigid plastic roller bottles
• Label the storage container:
  • Label with a hazardous waste tag or radioactive waste tag (as appropriate) after you place the first contaminated pipette into the plastic bag or other container.
  • Read How to Use Chemical and Radioactive Hazardous Waste Tags for more information.
• Dispose of contaminated pipettes:
  • If you stored the pipettes inside a plastic bag in their original box, tightly tie the bag closed.
  • Do not tape the bag or box closed. Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) waste technicians must visually inspect the bags before collection.
  • Request a hazardous waste collection.

• Two options are available for disposing of pipettes contaminated with biohazards:
  • Option 1: (available on the main campus and SIO)
    • Place the used pipettes in a BIOHAZARD container that has been lined with 2 labeled, red biohazard bags.
      • Note: STORE sells bags preprinted with UCSD identification labels in three different sizes.
    • Label the red bags (if they are not preprinted) with the following information on the outside when you add the first contaminated pipette:
      • "Biohazard"
      • The international biohazard symbol
      • UCSD address and phone number:
        • University of California, San Diego (or UCSD)
          9500 Gilman Drive
          La Jolla, CA 92093
          (858) 534-3660 or (858) 534-4357
          OR
        • UCSD Medical Center
          200 West Arbor Drive
          San Diego, CA 92103
          (619) 543-6222
      • Building name and room number where the waste was generated
    • Tie or secure the 2 liner bags closed when full and wheel the BIOHAZARD container to the biohazard waste collection area for your floor or building to be collected by EH&S.
    • Get a replacement container at the collection area.
    • Request additional BIOHAZARD containers from EH&S Environmental Management Facility, (858) 534-2753.
  • 
    Option 1: BIOHAZARD container
  • Option 2:
    • Select an acceptable storage container. Options for pipettes contaminated with biohazard materials include:
      • The pipettes' original box with a labeled, red plastic bag placed inside.
        
        • Note: STORE sells bags preprinted with UCSD identification labels in 3 different sizes.
      • A sharps storage container, available in 2 sizes from STORE:
        • 28 liter, part # 7764
        • 7.5 gallon, part # 7765
      • Recycled rigid plastic roller bottles
    • Label the red bag or sharps container (if they are not preprinted) with the following information as soon as you add the first contaminated pipette:
      • "Biohazard"
      • The international biohazard symbol
      • UCSD address and phone number:
        • University of California, San Diego (or UCSD)
          9500 Gilman Drive
          La Jolla, CA 92093
          (858) 534-3660 or (858) 534-4357
          OR
        • UCSD Medical Center
          200 West Arbor Drive
          San Diego, CA 92103
          (619) 543-6222
      • Building name and room number where the waste was generated
    • Autoclave and dispose of the container:
      • Read Autoclave Guidelines for Biohazard Waste for detailed instructions for both bagged waste and sharps containers.
      • If you stored the pipettes in a red plastic bag inside their original box, follow these steps:
        • Place the box inside a second labeled red biohazard bag.
        • Tie the bag loosely before autoclaving the waste.
        • Tie the bag tightly after autoclaving to prevent leakage.
      • If you used a plastic sharps container, snap the lid shut before autoclaving.
      • Dispose of the autoclaved bag or sharps container in a locked waste dumpster. Your laboratory manager will give you the lock combination.

International biohazard symbol

Contact the EH&S Environmental Management Facility for specific disposal instructions when pipettes are contaminated with multiple categories of hazardous materials (biological, radioactive, or chemical).