New Mexico State University

V. NON-RCRA WASTE DISPOSAL PROCEDURES :

PROCEDURES FOR MICROBIOLOGICAL & BIOLOGICAL WASTE:

BIOHAZARD (INFECTIOUS) WASTE
In accordance with the provisions of the New Mexico Environment Department Solid Waste Management Regulations (NMED/SWMR-2), materials identified as biohazard must be handled with special consideration. Primary investigators are responsible for preparation of a written procedure for steam sterilization and implementation of personnel training and documentation.

• Segregate ordinarily autoclaved trash from biohazard (infectious) trash.
• Maintain written log for each sterilization unit used to autoclave infectious waste.

• Certify in writing that personnel understand the written operating procedures for each steam sterilizer including
  • time,
  • temperature,
  • pressure,
  • type of waste,
  • container type,
  • container closure and
  • steam sterilization integrator.

  A copy of each TRAINING RECORD must be sent to EH&S , Dept. 3578.

• Place the steam sterilization integrator (Castle: 214-424-4578) at the innermost area of the biohazard waste bag to demonstrate that an effective sterilization temperature and pressure has been reached throughout the package.
• Place 12 inches of temperature sensitive tape diagonally across the biohazard symbol.

• Autoclave at sufficient temperature, pressure and time to render all contents non-viable. Waste shall not be considered sterilized if either indicator or tape fails to demonstrate that a temperature of at least 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 121 degrees Celsius was reached during the process. Attach exposed indicator to the outside of the biohazard bag.
• All material certified as non-infectious by steam sterilization and not otherwise regulated as hazardous, special or radioactive can be disposed by land filling.

AUTOCLAVED NON-INFECTIOUS WASTE
All activities which utilize culture plates or other biological growth media regardless of use
must be autoclaved.

• All personnel must be trained on the operating procedures for each autoclave and sign a written log which shall be maintained for each sterilization unit.
• A 12 inch strip of temperature sensitive tape must be on each autoclave load. The exposed words ‘AUTOCLAVED’ or ‘STERILE’ must be displayed to demonstrate that the sterilization procedure was performed before releasing as ordinary trash.

AUTOCLAVED SHARPS
All sharps must be placed in a rigid, puncture proof container and autoclaved as described above. Call EH&S for pick-up and disposal of autoclaved sharps – never put sharps in ordinary trash.

PRESERVED BIOLOGICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

• Segregate waste into dry solid waste and bulk liquid waste.
• Package all waste to prevent spills, leaks, or breaks during transportation. Use containers strong enough to support the contained waste.

Dry Solid Waste

• Use plastic liner inside bio-waste container supplied by EH&S .
• Place dry carcasses into lined container. No free standing liquids are acceptable.

Liquid Waste

• Use sturdy transport boxes with cardboard separators for bulk liquid waste bottles.

• Complete label (above) and secure to outside of container and/or box.
• Call EH&S (646-3327) to schedule pick-up or request bio-waste containers.
• Fresh biological material (must not contain preservative or regulated material) shall be taken to the City Landfill. A limited amount of carcass disposal can be arranged through the Animal Care Facility, 646-3241.

SHARPS – PACKAGING AND DISPOSAL:

To prevent injury to laboratory, custodial and EH&S personnel, sharps must NOT be disposed of in the normal trash bin. Use the following guidelines for proper packaging and disposal of sharps:

• Contain all sharps slated for disposal in special puncture-proof (plastic, steel, etc, not cardboard) containers designed for this purpose.
• Sterilize all sharps that may pose a potential biohazard to humans prior to notifying EH&S for pick up.
• Sharps containers ready for disposal should be listed separately on the tracking form. Then notify EH&S for pick up.
• For additional information regarding the handling of sharps and related wastes, refer to the Sharps and Biohazardous Waste Procedure in the Lab Guide.

PROCEDURES FOR RADIOACTIVE WASTE:

• Please see the NMSU Radiation Safety Manual
  

SPECIAL WASTE AND OTHER WASTE

Special wastes, such as motor oil, vehicle anti-freeze, lead-acid batteries and other regulated waste, will be moved by the generator, to the respective accumulation areas. A Waste Tracking Sheet must be completed prior to accumulation, or disposal of special wastes which are recycled, reclaimed, treated, or require special disposal under Federal Regulations or New Mexico Landfill Regulations.

Special procedures are currently in used for motor oil, vehicle anti-freeze, lead-acid batteries, other hazardous batteries, and hazardous surplus materials (such as asbestos, PCB transformer or capacitor oil, etc). These procedures are detailed in the Appendices.