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Waste Removal
Chemical Waste
Procedures for disposal of chemical waste.
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Radioactive Waste
Request for removal of radioactive waste, order labels, calculate activity, show authorized containers.
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Regulated Medical Waste
Procedures for packaging and removal of regulated medical waste.
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Thermometers
Mercury thermometers must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Please follow procedures for chemical waste AND contact EHSS (231-2982) for guidance. The referenced link details the thermometer exchange program.
Fluorescent Tubes and Light Ballasts
Because many fluorescent light tubes contain mercury, a program has been established to dispose of the light tubes according to local, state, and federal regulations. We ask that all discarded tubes be placed in a cardboard box and labeled with a hazardous waste label. Please see chemical waste disposal procedures for details.
Light ballasts and transformer oil may contain PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) which are regulated hazardous waste. Before disposing of light ballasts or recycling transformer oil, please contact our office (540-231-2982) so we may test the materials for PCBs.
Sharps
Sharps are items having a thin edge or a fine point suitable for or capable of cutting or piercing. This includes needles, glass slides and tubes, broken plastic, scalpel blades, pipette tips, swabs, and any other material which can puncture the skin or an autoclave or biohazard bag.
Sharps, both contaminated and uncontaminated, must be placed into puncture-resistant containers. EHSS can provide sharps containers, free of charge or you may use any hard plastic, sealable container ( e.g., laundry detergent bottle) with the original label defaced/removed and relabeled with "Sharps" and a biohazard sticker.
