Biological waste disposal
Guidance on how to safely package, label, store and dispose of biological waste at the University of Toronto.
Who must follow these procedures
These procedures apply to all labs at the University of Toronto that manipulate potentially hazardous biological agents and generate waste that contain these agents, including:
- Biosafety Permitted Labs (Containment Level 2 or higher)
- Biosafety Permitted Labs (Containment Level 1 that work with genetically modified organisms or non-native species)
- Any laboratory that generates needle or blade waste
If your biological waste includes chemical or radioactive materials, follow the mixed waste procedures.
If your waste includes sharps, follow the sharp waste procedures.
What is biological waste
Biological waste includes:
- Liquids containing viable biological agents (for example, blood, serum, culture media)
- Pathological materials (for example, tissues, parts of the human body, bodily fluids)
- Infected or suspected infected animal parts
- Contaminated solids (for example, tubes, flasks, gloves, wrappers)
- Sharps used in labs or animal care (follow sharps waste procedures)
- Contaminated glassware (if used with hazardous biological agents)
How to package biological waste
For liquid waste
Use leak-proof, autoclave-safe containers
Do not seal the container — steam pressure must escape
For solid waste
For Risk Group 2 materials use the EPS-provided yellow biowaste pails.
For Risk Group 1 materials that are genetically modified or non-native:
- Use autoclave bags without biohazard symbols (available from the U of T MedStore)
- Double bag before autoclaving
- Autoclave in a tray or basin to catch leaks
Labelling requirements
To ensure your waste is collected, provide the following information on your biowaste packaging:
- Biowaste pails: Clearly write your lab’s Biosafety Certificate number, building name and room number on the pail lid
- Bags and pail liners: Clearly write the lab’s Biosafety Certificate number, building name and room number on the side of each bag or liner
Incomplete or incorrect labelling may result in your waste not being collected for disposal.
Sterilization and disinfection instructions
For liquid waste
Risk Group 2 contaminated liquids
- Have concentrated sodium hypochlorite added until the final concentration of the total solution is 1% sodium hypochlorite. Allow for at least 30 minutes of contact time prior to disposal.
Risk Group 1 contaminated liquids
- Option 1: Have concentrated sodium hypochlorite added until the final concentration of the total solution is 1% sodium hypochlorite. Allow for at least 30 minutes of contact time prior to disposal.
- Option 2: Autoclave at 121 C for at least 20 minutes in a suitable vessel. Allow liquid to cool prior to disposal.
Other decontamination methods can only be used if validation data is provided and the method has been approved on your Biosafety Permit.
For solid waste
Risk Group 2 contaminated solids
- Not required except in certain situations.
- Please see the In-Lab Procedures for Biological Waste Handling for more information. Sterilization will be conducted by a licensed contractor.
Risk Group 1 contaminated solids
- Autoclave at 121 C for at least 20 minutes using autoclave bags that do not depict the biohazard symbol.
- Allow waste to cool prior to disposal as regular garbage.
If you do not have access to an autoclave suitable for the decontamination of Risk Group 1 biowaste, contact your Health and Safety Officer for guidance. If necessary, your HSO will work with EPS to coordinate an appropriate disposal procedure for your waste.
Storage and disposal instructions
For liquid waste
- Liquids can be poured down the lab sink with plenty of water following steam sterilization or bleach disinfection (liquid cannot contain other chemicals or radioisotopes)
- If you have used a chemical other than bleach to disinfect your liquid waste, follow the procedures for Chemical Waste Disposal
- Risk Group 1 agar should be allowed to solidify and disposed of as non-hazardous waste using autoclave bags that do not depict the biohazard symbol
For solid waste
- Risk Group 2 solid waste will be collected by EPS directly from your lab for disposal by a licensed contractor. Refer to the Biowaste Collection Schedule for more information.
- Risk Group 1 (genetically modified or non-native) materials can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste after steam sterilization has occurred. Waste should be double bagged in autoclave bags that do not depict the biohazard symbol.
- If your solid waste is also contaminated with chemical and/or radioactive materials, refer to the mixed waste procedures.
Collection schedule
Risk Group 2 biowaste is collected directly from labs by the Environmental Protection Services team. View the biowaste collection schedule.
- Do not leave your Risk Group 2 biowaste containers in hallways or corridors
- Ensure all containers are properly sealed and labeled
- Incorrectly labelled or improperly packaged waste will not be collected for disposal
Get support
If you have questions, please contact the Environmental Protection Services team.
Please reference the Laboratory Hazardous Waste Manual (Biomedical Waste Management) for more information regarding biological waste procedures.
For more information about procedures for biological labs, you can also visit the U of T biosafety program website.