In accordance with New York State law, all regulated medical waste (biohazardous waste) must be segregated and placed into properly labeled containers at the point of generation.
Biohazardous waste includes, but is not limited to, the following items:
- Animal carcasses
- Blood and other body fluids
- Culture flasks, plates, and tubes
- Sharps and syringes that are biologically contaminated
- Tissue samples
- Any other item contaminated with biological materials
Does your group generate waste that has biohazards AND chemical hazards? STOP and reach out to EHS for guidance specific to your waste stream. NO chemical or radioactive contamination is acceptable in the biohazard waste stream.
Biohazardous Waste Collection and Storage
Containers used to collect biohazard waste should be red in color and must have the biohazard symbol displayed on the container. The container must also have a lid and be closed when waste is not actively being added to the container. Waste must be contained in a way that prevents its accidental release.
Regulated medical waste should be segregated from other waste types and into the following subdivisions: sharps, liquid waste, and solid waste. Each regulated waste type must be contained in proper containers.
- Sharps: collect in approved, rigid, leak proof, puncture-resistant containers with a cap that can be secured to prevent loss of contents. Containers must be labeled with the universal biohazard sign or the word "Biohazard". Needles and syringe units must be discarded as a unit without clipping, bending, breaking, or re-sheathing.
- Liquid waste: liquids that contain infectious agents must be contained in closed containers and placed in red biohazard bags (doubled if necessary). Tape shut when filled.
- Solid waste: place in red biohazard bags. Tape shut when filled.
- Animal waste/human waste: place in red biohazard bags, tape shut and refrigerate or freeze until pick-up.
Biohazardous Waste Disposal
Once the waste is placed in proper containment, a Regulated Waste Pick-up Request must be submitted for the removal of the biohazardous waste. For CBIS residents, the containers can be placed in the designated CBIS Biohazard Waste Rooms in the large red bins or the refrigerator/freezer.
