Biological waste

Biological waste disposal

Guidance on how to safely package, label, store and dispose of biological waste at the University of Toronto.

Contents

— Who must follow these procedures

— What is biological waste

— How to package biological waste

— Labelling requirements

— Storage and disposal instructions

— Collection schedule

— Get support

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

Use leak-proof, autoclave-safe containers

Do not seal the container — steam pressure must escape

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

For Risk Group 1 materials (native species or non-genetically modified):

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.

Storage and disposal instructions

  • 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
  • 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.
  • Risk Group 1 (native species or non-genetically modified) materials can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste using garbage bags provided by the Caretaking Services team.
  • 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.