Biohazardous Waste Management
Biohazardous waste includes materials that may pose a risk to human health or the environment due to the presence of biological agents, potentially infectious materials, or contamination with blood or other regulated biological substances.
The Â鶹ֱ²¥â€™s Biohazardous Waste Management program establishes requirements for the identification, segregation, handling, storage, and disposal of biohazardous waste generated through teaching, research, clinical, and operational activities. This program supports compliance with applicable federal and state regulations and aligns with UNE’s Biosafety Program, Exposure Control Plan, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) policies and procedures.
All biohazardous waste generated at UNE must be managed as regulated medical waste and handled in a manner that minimizes the risk of exposure, injury, or environmental release. Proper segregation of waste streams — including sharps, biological waste, and mixed waste — is essential to ensure safe disposal and regulatory compliance. Biohazardous waste must be placed in approved containers, clearly labeled, and disposed of through approved waste management processes.
EHS provides oversight, guidance, training, and coordination of biohazardous waste management activities and works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to ensure consistent and safe practices across all UNE campuses. Safe management of biohazardous waste is a shared responsibility and a critical component of UNE’s commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant campus environment.
Laboratory personnel are responsible for developing protocols for identifying, segregating, decontaminating, and properly packaging biohazardous waste. Arrangements can be made to have sealed boxes of biohazardous waste picked up for storage and disposal through EHS.
Identifying Biohazardous Waste
The following materials are defined as biohazardous waste:
- Human blood and blood products
- Cultures and stocks of etiologic agents and associated biologicals
- Laboratory waste that has come in contact with a biohazard as listed in 1. and 2. above, including but not limited to culture dishes; blood specimen tubes; devices used to transfer, inoculate, and mix cultures; and other materials that have come in contact with biohazards (such as disposable Personal Protective Equipment and clothing)
- Contaminated sharps
- Human pathological waste
Drugs are not biohazardous waste. To dispose of DEA-scheduled drugs or expired drugs, please contact ehs@une.edu for guidance.
Biohazardous Spills
Spills must be cleaned up immediately. Use personal protective apparel available in your work area. Absorb liquids with paper towels or other absorbent materials to prevent spills from spreading. Use a dustpan and brush or a similar method to pick up broken glassware or sharps, then dispose of them in a sharps container. Sharps must never be handled with bare hands.
Disinfect the spill area with 10% bleach or other appropriate disinfectants and let it stand for a few minutes (15–20 minutes if 10% is used). This allows the disinfectant time to kill the organisms present. The UNE Housekeeping staff should not be contacted in the event of a biohazard spill incident. Please call Security at (207) 283-0176 if assistance is needed.
Labeling
Waste containers, equipment, storage freezers, and other materials that come in contact with blood and potentially infectious materials must be labeled with the biohazard warning label. The label must incorporate the universal biohazard sign and a predominant fluorescent orange or orange-red background with contrasting lettering and symbol.
Waste Pickup
- For questions regarding the packaging of waste, please email ehs@une.edu.
- To arrange for a pickup of packed, sealed, and properly labeled biomedical waste boxes, please contact Facilities Management through the work order system. Boxes must be closed and sealed for pickup.
- To arrange for a pickup of sharps containers, please email ehs@une.edu.
