Waste from laboratory operations

The head of department/director is responsible for ensuring that employees who handle hazardous waste have knowledge of how to handle it, and that staff who handle shipments of dangerous goods are given the opportunity to carry out shipper training.

The environmental coordinator is responsible for ensuring that agreements are in place with contractors who deal with operational laboratory waste, and that university rules are developed so that the waste is handled correctly.

All employees, including external tenants, are responsible for handling laboratory waste in accordance with these rules, and with legal requirements.

General rules

• Laboratory waste must be handled in accordance with legal requirements and the rules on this page. That includes for example requirements for packaging, labelling and, in certain cases, also dangerous goods declaration.
• Laboratory waste that may pose a risk must be handled by laboratory staff. Cleaning services are only required to empty wastepaper bins at sinks and waste containers in which non-hazardous laboratory waste is disposed of such as uncontaminated gloves and paper.
• Containers or vessels containing hazardous laboratory waste must be sealed and transported by laboratory staff in a safe manner, using relevant protective equipment and without risk of spillage, to the designated location in a recycling room or other designated location. To avoid work environment risks, laboratory waste that is left in a recycling room must be packaged in yellow boxes intended for hazardous waste with lids that cannot be opened after sealing.
• Hazardous or special laboratory waste must always be labelled with information about what the waste contains, who is submitting it and when it was submitted. In which way a particular waste must be labelled, is specified under the specific waste type below.
• Spills and splashes must be dealt with immediately. Spills, splashes or other incidents/near-accidents in connection with handling waste from laboratory operations must be reported as deviations in the IA system, and the relevant manager must be informed. Small spills are cleaned up by laboratory staff. If there are large spills, emergency services must be called. When cleaning up small spills, protective gloves that protect against the chemical (nitrile gloves) must be worn. Soak up the liquid using absorbent material (absol or vermiculite). The used absorbent material is placed in a strong plastic bag and sealed with a cable tie. Thoroughly swab the area with soap and water. Place the used rags in a strong plastic bag and seal it with a cable tie, and then in a tightly sealed container. The waste is dealt with as hazardous waste, as described below. In the event of a major leakage/accident:
1. Save those in danger.
2. Warn others and cordon off the area. Get help from other staff.
3. Raise the alarm and call the emergency services on 112.
4. Call the switchboard or the designated security number.
5. Meet the emergency services and show them where the accident has occurred.

Hazardous waste and dangerous goods

What is classified as hazardous waste is detailed in the Swedish Waste Ordinance (2020:614), marked with an asterisk (*) in Appendix 3. Examples include chemical waste, infectious waste and GMM waste.

Under no circumstances may waste that is classified as hazardous be mixed or diluted with other hazardous waste, other waste, or other substances or materials.

Each department is responsible for handling and disposing of hazardous waste generated during the course of their day-to-day operations. If this waste is classified as dangerous goods, the person who leaves the waste in a recycling room must, in addition to labelling it with the contents and the designated symbol for dangerous goods (which must be at least 10x10 cm and pasted in the correct orientation – see the goods declaration form for details of which symbol to use), also have prepared a transportation document (fill in the relevant goods declaration form).

The goods declaration must indicate the following: EWC code, UN number, official shipping name, class, packing group (if any), number and type of packages, estimated total weight, carrier and recipient. If you send this type of waste, you must also have shipper training in accordance with ADR-S, which must be repeated at least every three years. The University has a contracted security advisor who can provide the necessary training. Contact the environmental coordinator for more information.

Anyone who carries out professional operations in which hazardous waste is generated must keep records for each type of hazardous waste, detailing the quantity of waste generated annually and to whom the waste is submitted for further handling. These records must be kept for at least three years, and the data must be reported in the waste register on the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's website within two working days from the date when the waste was recorded. This reporting is currently carried out by the University's contracted waste contractors.

Recommended waste bins for hazardous waste

Site-specific hazardous waste from laboratories on the main campus must, to ensure a good and safe working environment, be packaged into one of the following waste bins (except for chemical waste, GMO waste, and biological waste in UCCB). Hereafter referred to as "intended box".

WASTE BIN YELLOW 30 L WITH LID VWR 40+01160+000 (Stock item in the Chemical Store)

WASTE BIN 60 LITRES, AUTOCLAVABLE 31+08700+115 (SARSTEDT NUMBER 77.3899.060)

HAZARDOUS WASTE BIN YELLOW 4L MULTI-SAFE FOR NEEDLES, SCALPEL BLADES 31+08600+115 (SARSTEDT NUMBER 77.3897.040)

For more information, see Chemshop.

Types of waste

Handling procedures for different types of waste from laboratory operations are listed below. For waste generated in Region Västerbotten's premises, Region Västerbotten's own procedures apply.

Antibiotic waste

Requirements in accordance with the Swedish Waste Ordinance (2020:614) and AFS 2018:4 Infectious risks.

Active antibiotic substances used in cell cultures, culture media, experimental tests, etc. must not be poured into drainage. However, these substances can be deactivated by autoclaving, boiling or incineration. After deactivation, the media may be poured into drainage provided that they do not contain other environmentally hazardous chemicals. If such waste does contain other environmentally hazardous substances, it must be handled as chemical waste.

The table below lists recommendations for disposal. Antibiotic substances in cell cultures and culture media not listed below are handled as chemical waste.

Biological waste – non-infectious, non-GMO/GMM

Plants

Plant parts are handled as combustible waste.

Waste from animal experiments or animal by-products

Examples of waste include carcasses from animal experiments, biological tissue, and small quantities of blood or other body fluids. These are, by definition, animal by-products. Waste may also consist of slaughtered animals that are not intended for human consumption and which are classified as animal by-products, as well as feathers, eggshells and wool.

Dissection animals consisting of, for example, fish purchased in supermarkets can be handled as combustible waste, as they were classified as food before dissection.

Biological waste can be stored for a maximum of 24 hours at room temperature, refrigerated for a maximum of eight days, and frozen for longer periods of storage.

Biological waste is placed in a tightly sealed tube or other sealed container and is stored in a freezer at the laboratory section. The waste is transported by laboratory staff to the combustible fraction in a recycling room on days when the combustible fraction is collected. The contractor deals with removing the waste for incineration. Note that the Campus Services Office must be informed that laboratory waste has been placed in the combustible/residual fraction.

Biological waste at UCCB produced within the facility is bagged and placed in the chest freezer for carcasses at each section.
Infected biological material is placed in a waste bag in a chest freezer at the infection section. The waste must be autoclaved before being taken out to the central storage freezer.

Infected biological material that also contains hazardous chemical substances/pharmaceuticals is bagged and placed in a hazardous waste box labelled with the name of the research group in the cadaver freezer at the infection section. This waste must not be autoclaved before being taken out to the central storage freezer and labelled "Biologiskt avfall".

The contracted waste transporter should be contacted if necessary. They will then organise the removal of the waste. You will find more information about waste handling at UCCB here. (You will need to login to access this information.)

Human biological waste

This includes tissue, organs, identifiable body parts and discarded anatomical preparations.

Contaminated or infected waste, nails and hair, and small quantities of blood or other body fluids are handled as combustible waste. Large quantities of human body fluids must be handled as infectious waste.

The waste is placed in the intended yellow box for hazardous waste. If the waste is liquid or wet, absorbent material or absorption cloth must be added. Do not pack the box with more waste than the box's stated permitted weight. The package must be labelled with a yellow "Biologiskt avfall" label containing information about the contents, contact person, and date, before being placed in a cold storage room or freezer adjacent to a recycling room.

Biological waste can be stored for a maximum of 24 hours at room temperature, refrigerated for a maximum of eight days, and frozen for longer periods of storage. The contracted waste transporter will be contacted if necessary and will deal with removing the waste for incineration.

Infectious waste

Requirements in accordance with the Swedish Waste Ordinance (2020:614), AFS 2018:4 Infectious risks and requirements after a completed risk assessment regarding employees' work environment and safety. In general, infectious waste must be converted into non-infectious waste as early as possible in the waste process, for example by autoclaving.

Alternative 1 – autoclaving

In the first instance, infectious waste is placed in the intended yellow box intended for autoclaving. If the waste is liquid or wet, absorbent material or absorption cloth must be added. Do not pack the box with more waste than the box's stated permitted weight. Label the box with a yellow "Smittförande avfall" label. The workplace, date and signature must be written on the label.
After autoclaving, the inactivated waste can be placed in the residual waste/combustible fraction. 

Note that risk class 3 microorganisms must be inactivated locally in accordance with an approved protocol, and must not be disposed of as infectious waste.

Alternative 2 – no autoclaving

If autoclaving is not possible, infectious waste (risk classes 1 and 2) can be packaged in the intended yellow box for hazardous waste. The container must be sealed to prevent waste or infectious substances from leaking out. If the waste is liquid or wet, absorbent material or absorption cloth must be added. Do not pack the box more than the box's stated permitted weight.

Waste with infectious properties is classified as hazardous waste and also as dangerous goods when transported by road (ADR-S). The box must therefore be labelled with a "Smittförande avfall" label, and the UN 3921 goods declaration form must be completed and must accompany the shipment. The contracted waste transporter will be contacted if necessary, and will deal with reporting to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's hazardous waste register.

Infectious waste can be stored for a maximum of 24 hours at room temperature, refrigerated for a maximum of eight days, and frozen for longer periods of storage. On being removed, the waste is sent for incineration. Frozen infectious waste must not be stored for more than one year.
The space/recycling room where infectious waste is stored must be visibly labelled with a warning sign with the international biohazard symbol.

Biological waste containing cytostatics/hormones

Biological waste containing hormones or cytostatics must not be autoclaved.
The waste must be packaged in the intented yellow boxes for infectious/clinical waste. The container must be sealed to prevent waste or cytostatics/hormones/pharmaceuticals from leaking out. If the waste is liquid or wet, absorbent material or absorption cloth must be added. Do not pack the box with more waste than the box's stated permitted weight.

The package must be labelled with a yellow "Cytostatika- och läkemedelsförorenat avfall" label with information about the contents, contact person and date, before being placed in a cold storage room or freezer adjacent to a recycling room. Waste with cytotoxic properties that is shipped is classified as dangerous goods, and therefore requires a goods declaration. Goods declaration form UN 1851 must be completed and must accompany the shipment. The carrier will deal with reporting to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's hazardous waste register. On being removed, the waste is sent for incineration. The space/recycling room in which the waste is stored must be labelled with the international biohazard symbol.

Cell cultures and microorganisms

Live cell cultures and microorganisms must not be poured directly into a sink. If the waste is classified as infectious waste or GMM waste, refer to the relevant section. If it has been killed, for example by autoclaving, and any antibiotics are deactivated, the waste can usually be poured into a sink. However, other risks associated with the waste must be considered, such as antibiotics or other chemicals, radioactivity, or the waste consisting of sharps (refer to the relevant section). Additionally, bear in mind that antibiotics can be CMR substances or present other chemical risks.

To kill cell cultures, culture medium, and non-infectious or GMM microorganisms, one of the following methods must be used: Autoclaving or another treatment that has been proven to be effective. After killing, solid material is packaged and sorted as combustible material in a recycling room (not in laboratory wastepaper bins).

GMM waste

Requirements in accordance with the Swedish Waste Ordinance 2020:614 and AFS 2011:2 Contained Use of Genetically Modified Microorganisms (AFS 2011:2).

Alternative 1

In the initial step, GMM waste from F and L operations should be autoclaved for inactivation. Solid waste goes into yellow boxes designated for autoclaving, while cell culture medium can be drained away. If the solid waste is wet add absorbent material or use absorption cloth at the box's bottom. Label the box with a yellow "Smittförande avfall" label. After autoclaving, dispose of the waste as combustible/residual waste, adhering to the box's weight limit. GMM waste from R operations must follow the same autoclaving and disposal procedure.

Alternative 2

If autoclaving is not feasible, GMM waste from F and L operations can be treated as hazardous waste and dangerous goods. Even if waste from F operations isn't classified as hazardous, the same procedure applies. The waste is packaged in yellow hazardous waste boxes for infectious waste. For liquid or wet waste, add absorbent material or use absorption cloth at the box's bottom. After labeling with a yellow "Smittförande avfall" label and completing the UN 3245 goods declaration, store the waste in a cold storage room at the KBC recycling room. Inform KBC service technicians when submitting GMM waste. Adhere to the box's permitted weight limit.

GMO waste from UPSC

GMO waste is packaged in waste containers containing a black plastic bag (70 L).

Glass and wooden sticks must be disposed of in the designated cardboard box.

Other waste, such as Petri dishes, seeds, dry or green plants, soil, pots, etc., must be disposed of in the black or red waste containers. Each waste container contains a black plastic bag (70 L). Please keep the lid of the container closed if possible.

When the waste container is full, the bag must be sealed with a cable tie.

• Seal the bag with a cable tie and take it to the waste room on floor 3 of the KBC physiology building (room F3-58-38).
• Transfer the waste bag to a larger bag (125 L).
•  When the larger bag is full, seal the bag with a cable tie and label it with GMO tape. Only a short piece of tape is needed. These bags will be disposed of in the specific GMO container behind the hatch in the waste room.

When disposing of infected plant material, you must immediately seal the bags and take them to the waste room on floor 3 of the KBC physiology building (room F3-58-38). This is everyone's responsibility, and is essential to avoid pests!

Chemical waste

Requirements in accordance with the Swedish Waste Ordinance (2020:614), AFS 2011:19 Chemical Hazards in the Work Environment and ABVA Umeå.
Almost all chemicals must be handled as chemical waste. Those products that must be disposed of as hazardous waste are listed in the products' safety data sheets.
In the few cases where pouring chemical residues into drainage is permitted, this applies only to small quantities. Larger quantities must always be handled as hazardous waste. It's important to note that diluting chemical waste is not allowed, and environmentally hazardous organic substances and substances containing heavy metals must never be poured into drainage.

If a waste solution has two phases, they must be separated. The organic phase must be treated as chemically hazardous waste, while the aqueous solution can be poured into the sink, provided it does not contain substances that must be handled as chemically hazardous waste Also note that any aqueous solution must be pH-adjusted before it can be poured into the sink (see below).

Chemical waste must be stored in packaging that is close fitting, clean and labelled with a hazard pictogram and name, and must be tightly sealed. In most cases, the packaging in which the chemical was delivered can be used. If a solvent cannot be stored in its original packaging, it must be stored in glass packaging to prevent reactions between the solvent and the packaging.
If there is no information on the packaging, create a safety data sheet from the KLARA chemical system and attach it to the packaging.

Chemical waste from operations on the main campus is submitted to Hazardous Waste Building every Friday at 08:00–10:00. Note that a fully completed declaration of hazardous chemical waste form must be attached when submitting this waste. When transporting in a culvert to Hazardous Waste Building, a trolley with a frame must be used. Chemically absorbent cloth or absorbent material must be placed inside the frame of the trolley. Place the waste packaging securely on the trolley. A cardboard box can be used for more stable transportation. Packaging to collect any spillage must accompany the transported waste. Personal protective equipment and packaging, including equipment to collect any spillage, must accompany the transported waste. Examples of personal protective equipment are disposable gloves, e.g. SHIELDskin CHEM NEO NITRILE 300, protective eyewear and respirator, in accordance with the risk assessment. 

Chemical waste at the Umeå Arts Campus is to be labelled with information regarding its contents, the person who deposited it, and the date, and placed in the respective building's environmental room. Collection of chemical waste is arranged directly by each department. The waste contractor packages, labels the packaging, and transports chemical waste from Umeå Arts Campus when there is a need for it. The waste contractor also handles the mandatory reporting to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

Formalin waste and waste from CMR substances

Formaldehyde/formalin is a colourless liquid and gas with a characteristic odour. The substance is classified as a CMR substance under class H350 (carcinogenic) and an allergenic substance with hazard class H317, and AFS 2011:19 contains specific requirements for these. Formaldehyde handling in cases of tissue fixation and similar is not covered by requirements for medical examination or special training, which are otherwise required for the use of formaldehyde resins. Paraformaldehyde (PFA) is classified as H351, and is not covered by the specific CMR requirements. However, paraformaldehyde is primarily used to exploit its decomposition into formaldehyde in solution, in which case the rules for CMR substances apply in full. Also note that a work task in which formaldehyde is used must be subject to a CMR investigation, as CMR substances must not be used if it is technically possible to replace them.

Formalin waste, etc., from operations on the main campus is submitted to Hazardous Waste Building every Friday at 08:00–10:00. Note that a fully completed declaration of hazardous chemical waste form must be attached when submitting this waste. When handling and transporting formaldehyde waste, etc., it must be possible to transport containers of the chemical on a trolley in such a way that they cannot tip over and that spills can be detected. For example, a bottle can be placed in a plastic box with edges, together with absorbents (e.g. vermiculite or absol). Protective clothing and protective gloves must be worn, and surfaces that may have been contaminated must be cleaned after transportation. It is also a requirement that if there is a risk of exposure to workers other than those who handle formaldehyde, etc., they must be informed of this. If larger quantities are transported, e.g. formalin drums (200 litres) on Euro pallets, this must always be done by two people. It must be possible to carry out transportation safely. Consider uneven floors etc.

Pharmaceutical waste, cytostatic waste, narcotic preparations and waste from goods that are hazardous to health

Discontinued or surplus medicines, cytostatics, narcotics, and goods classified as hazardous according to the law (1999:42) should be transported from facilities on the main campus and deposited at the Hazardous Waste Building every Friday from 08:00-10:00. When submitting to the Hazardous Waste Building, the products must be packaged in a non-openable box, marked with UN 3249/EWC 180108. A fully completed form "Declaration of Hazardous Chemical Waste" must be attached when submitting. 

Radioactive waste

Radioactive waste from Umeå University's operations is submitted in the waste room at NUS intended for this purpose. Information, procedures and forms can be found on the radiation protection page.

Sharps waste (non-infectious)

Requirements in accordance with the Swedish Waste Ordinance 2020:614 and requirements after a completed risk assessment regarding employees' work environment and safety.

Metal sharps waste, such as syringes, lancets, knife blades, razor blades, scalpels and needles, are placed in plastic safety containers labelled "Skärande och stickande avfall" and treated like infectious waste.

Sharps waste such as glass is placed in a plastic jar that is sealed when filled and sorted as combustible waste, or placed in large yellow boxes intended for hazardous waste. Do not pack the box with more waste than the box's stated permitted weight. If the waste is left as hazardous waste in a recycling room, the waste must be labelled with information detailing sharps content, department, name and date.

Infectious sharps waste

Requirements in accordance with the Swedish Waste Ordinance (2020:614), AFS 2018:4 Infectious Risks and requirements after a completed risk assessment regarding employees' work environment and safety.

Puncture-proof products can be placed directly in boxes intended for autoclaving. Non-sharps products must be placed in a syringe container for sharps waste. Syringe containers are placed in an approved box intended for autoclaving. If the waste is liquid or wet, absorbent material must be added or it must be captured by absorption cloth at the bottom of the box. Do not pack the box with more waste than the box's stated permitted weight. After autoclaving, the waste can be sorted as combustible waste or in large yellow boxes intended for hazardous waste. If, after autoclaving, the waste is disposed of as hazardous waste in a recycling room, the waste must be labelled with information detailing sharps content, department, name and date.

Waste with infectious properties that is not autoclaved is classified as hazardous waste and also as dangerous goods when transported by road (ADR-S). Fill in the workplace, date, and signature on the label. After labelling with a yellow "Infectious Waste" label and completing the UN 3245 goods declaration, the waste is placed in a cold storage room at the KBC recycling room. Infectious waste can be stored for a maximum of 24 hours at room temperature, refrigerated for a maximum of eight days, and frozen for longer periods of storage. Upon removal, the waste is sent for incineration. Frozen infectious waste must not be stored for more than one year. The space/recycling room where infectious waste is stored must be visibly labelled with a warning sign featuring the international biohazard symbol.

Glass, non-recyclable

Surplus or discarded glass from laboratories that is not packaging must be placed in yellow plastic/bioplastic boxes intended for hazardous waste. If the waste is liquid or wet, absorbent material must be added or it must be captured by absorption cloth at the bottom of the box. Do not pack the box with more waste than the box's stated permitted weight. In the KBC recycling room, there is also a green recycling container where, so called clean glass waste, that is not packaging, can be deposited.

Glass, recyclable

Dry and clean glass packaging from laboratory operations may be left in green containers intended for coloured and uncoloured glass packaging in a recycling room. Note that if a chemical that has been in glass packaging has had toxic (skull and crossbones symbol) or environmentally hazardous (dead tree and fish symbol) properties, empty glass packaging must also be handled as chemical waste and submitted to the Hazardous Waste Building.

Used plastic pipettes and plastic test tubes

Used plastic pipettes and plastic test tubes must be handled as combustible waste, not as plastic packaging. To avoid risks, these should be placed in a black waste bag and 'bundled' together by laboratory staff before being disposed of in the combustible fraction in a recycling room.

Other materials from laboratories – non-infectious, non-sharps

Other materials, such as protective gloves, disposable aprons, paper wadding and masks, are disposed of together with the relevant hazardous waste if they are contaminated. If they are not contaminated, they are disposed of in normal wastepaper bins/waste bags intended for combustible waste.