Environmental Health and Safety

Biohazardous/Medical Waste

Biohazardous/Medical wastes and contaminated materials are disposed of by category. There are three categories of waste:

  • Category 1 waste is known, assumed, or suspected of being infectious to humans, plants, or animals and could cause harm if released to the environment,

  • Category 2 waste has the appearance of biohazardous/medical waste, but is not contaminated with regulated materials,

  • Category 3 wastes are contaminated with hazardous chemicals or radioactive material.

For more information, see Biohazardous and Sharps Waste Management Manual.

Waste Treatment

  1. All biohazard waste/materials must be collected in APPROVED red or orange biohazard bags or tubs. These containers must be kept closed.
  2. Once a biohazard waste has been autoclaved, place the red bag into a secondary containment (ex. tote ) to prevent leakage and submit medical waste request.
  3. Materials designated as Category 1 waste must be disposed of as medical waste. This includes sharps contaminated with Category 1 waste (needles, syringes, scalpels, razors, Pasteur pipettes, etc.).
  4. Sharps contaminated with Category 1 waste must be placed in APPROVED puncture-resistant RED plastic containers that have the biohazard symbol.
  5. Pathogen-containing waste must also be labeled “Infectious waste-name of the pathogen”,
  6. Do not put Hazardous Waste labels on biohazard/medical waste.