Natural Sciences Department
School of Integrated Studies
Klump Academic Center, Rm. 102 · (570) 327-4521
Disposal of Infectious Waste
- Segregation of infectious waste from all other types of waste.
- Use of specially labeled red or orange "biohazard" bags and puncture resistant "sharps" containers for the collection of all infectious waste. Rigid, one-piece polypropylene sharps containers (such as Becton-Dickinson) are preferred; metal cans are not permitted.
-
Sterilization, by autoclaving, of all infectious waste. Allowable holding times for various infectious waste(s) are as follows:
- Infectious waste, excluding used sharps, may be stored at room temperature until the storage container is full, but for no longer than 30 days from the date waste was first put in the container.
- A storage container filled with infectious waste may be stored in a refrigeration unit for up to 30 days from the date waste was first placed in the container.
- A storage container filled with infectious waste that has been filled within 30 days from the date waste was first placed in the container may be frozen immediately for up to 90 days from the date waste was first placed in the container.
- Sharps containers may be used until they are full.
- If the infectious waste becomes putrescent during the allowable storage period, the waste must be moved offsite within 24 hours for processing or disposal.
- Ensuring that all treated infectious waste, other than sharps, have been bagged in specially labeled red or orange "biohazard" bags. Bags should be purchased from approved vendors to ensure that they are free of heavy metal pigments. Any single bag of waste should weigh less than 20 pounds.
- Placement of all treated (i.e., autoclaved) infectious waste bags and sharps containers into specially labeled infectious waste receptacles provided by GS.