Biological Waste Management at OSU establishes requirements for the safe handling, treatment, and disposal of biological waste generated in research and teaching activities. The program ensures compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and supports the protection of personnel, the public, and the environment.
Proper Biological Waste Disposal Procedures at OSU
State of Oregon regulations require the following types of waste to be collected and treated prior to disposal (see sections below for complete definitions of each type): sharps, animal carcasses infected with pathogens, human tissues or body parts, microbial cultures, and associated wastes. In addition, federal requirements mandate treatment of organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules to protect public health and the environment.
To comply with these requirements, the following procedures must be used in OSU laboratories and other facilities where biological waste is generated:
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Segregation: Laboratory and other research wastes must be segregated at the point of generation. It is the responsibility of the principal investigator or director to ensure that students and personnel are trained in appropriate waste segregation and disposal. For questions regarding biological waste disposal or to request assistance, contact EH&S.
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Carcasses: State regulations require incineration of animal carcasses infected with pathogens used in research, along with all associated bedding and solid wastes. For other research animal carcasses and parts, incineration is the preferred disposal method. Animal carcasses may not be disposed of in campus dumpsters. Research animal carcasses, tissues, associated bedding, and wastes may be disposed of by incineration through a contract disposal vendor or by prior arrangement with the DEQ-permitted incinerator at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Under limited circumstances, food animals used in research may be approved for food use; however, animals exposed to pathogens, hazardous chemicals, or recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids may not be sold for food unless specifically authorized by the appropriate federal agency (USDA). Contact EH&S for guidance on carcass disposal.
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Human body parts: State regulations require that human body parts be disposed of by incineration. Disposal may be arranged through a commercial vendor or through the College of Veterinary Medicine incinerator.
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Solid laboratory wastes: State regulations require the segregation and treatment of microbiological cultures and associated consumable laboratory wastes (e.g., gloves, pipettes, tubes, and disposable containers) by autoclaving or other approved methods prior to disposal. Solid wastes that are non-hazardous, or that have been rendered non-hazardous through appropriate treatment, may be disposed of in the normal waste stream following approved procedures.
Laboratories working with cultures of microorganisms, human or animal pathogens, or human source materials must collect all solid consumable waste (except clean paper products and wrappers) in red or orange autoclavable biohazard bags and sterilize the waste by autoclaving prior to disposal. Additional requirements apply to BSL-3 laboratories. After autoclave treatment, biohazard bags must be placed inside black trash bags and transported to the building dumpster.
Autoclaves used to decontaminate potentially infectious waste must have posted standard operating procedures and must be tested at least monthly using a biological indicator (e.g., Geobacillus stearothermophilus spore tests). Test results must be documented. As an alternative to on-site autoclaving, biohazardous waste may be collected and disposed of through an approved medical waste vendor. Disposal costs are the responsibility of the researcher or department. Autoclave tape should be used to indicate exposure to appropriate treatment conditions.
OSU Waste Autoclaving SOP - Download HERE
Laboratories working only with non-hazardous biological materials (e.g., indigenous plant material, environmental samples, non-exotic insects) may dispose of these materials in the normal waste stream. However, all culture-based materials must still be treated as described above.
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Liquid wastes: Liquid culture waste must be decontaminated (e.g., autoclaved) prior to discharge to the sanitary sewer. Non-culture liquids that do not contain recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids may be discharged to the sanitary sewer without prior treatment, provided they do not contain hazardous chemicals. Chemical hazards must be managed through EH&S hazardous waste procedures. Noninfectious environmental samples may be discharged if they contain no solids or semi-solids that could obstruct plumbing. Solids, gels, and semi-solid materials may not be disposed of via the sanitary sewer.
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Recombinant plant materials and plant pathogens: Plant materials containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids or plant pathogens must be inactivated (typically by autoclaving) prior to disposal to prevent environmental release. These materials should be collected in clear autoclavable bags without biohazard markings unless otherwise required. If red or orange biohazard bags are used, they must be overbagged after treatment prior to disposal. Routine verification of autoclave performance using biological indicators is strongly recommended.
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Recombinant microorganisms: Microorganisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids must be managed as biological hazards and must be treated in accordance with requirements for solid and liquid culture wastes described above.
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Sharps: Sharps include any object capable of penetrating the skin, including needles, scalpel blades, lancets, glass tubes, microscope slides, and syringes removed from original packaging. All sharps must be disposed of in approved, puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers labeled with the biohazard symbol. Containers must not be overfilled and must be closed and secured prior to disposal. Recapping of needles is not permitted. Sterile syringe caps may be disposed of as regular laboratory waste.
For campus facilities other than the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, collection of sealed sharps containers must be arranged through the OSU Hazardous Waste Pickup system.
All sharps injuries, exposures, and near-misses must be reported through the OSU Riskonnect Incident Portal.
For further information on sharps, see the OSU Sharps Safety Program