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How to Dispose of Plastic Tissue-Culture Pipettes

Follow these instructions for storing and disposing of used plastic tissue culture pipettes.

Requirement

Plastic tissue-culture pipettes must be collected and disposed of in rigid, puncture- and leak-proof containers.

Follow instructions based on type of contamination:

Used but not contaminated with hazardous material

Biohazardous contamination only

Use this process when disposing of pipettes contaminated with biohazards (no chemical or radioactive materials):

Steps: (available on the main campus and SIO)

BIOHAZARD container
  • Place used pipettes in a BIOHAZARD container that has been lined with 2 labeled, red biohazard bags.
    • Note: Procurement sells bags preprinted with UC San Diego identification labels in different sizes.
  • 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
    • UC San Diego address and phone number:
      • University of California, San Diego (or UC San Diego)
        9500 Gilman Drive
        La Jolla, CA 92093
        (858) 534-4357
        OR
      • UC San Diego 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.

Chemical or radioactive contamination

  • 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
    • Recycled rigid plastic roller bottles
  • Label the storage container:
    • Label with a hazardous waste tag before you place the first contaminated pipette into the plastic bag or another container.
    • Read How to Use 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.

Contaminated with mixed hazardous material

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

Questions? Contact EH&S Biosafety, (858) 534-5366.
Notice: Disposal of hazardous waste using sinks, intentional evaporation, or as regular trash is against the law. Campus laboratories must abide by strict state and federal waste disposal requirements. You may be held liable for violations of applicable laws.