Clean up & Waste Disposal

Estimated Total Time: 10 minutes

Summary: Many people use the lab. Good lab hygiene is a must!

Electrical, 3D Printer, Laser Cutter, and other non-chemical/biological waste

Cleanup:

• • Resistors and capacitors are to be thrown in the electronic waste container - they sell for less than a $0.01; It would be more problematic finding the wrong component in a drawer.

  • Return all semi-conductors: LEDs, diodes, and active components (op-amps, voltage regulators, etc)

  • Wires are to be thrown in the black electronic waste container; however, if you have a locker in the lab, you may wish to save the wires for later use.

  • Return all equipment (eg. wire cutters, pliers, power supplies, & soldering irons) and breadboards.

  • Return all cables and accessories (ie. banana cables, alligator clips, and alligator cables)

  • Dead batteries can be thrown in the battery recycling bin on the laser cutter materials bin next to location 152.

  • Throw all laser cutter waste or old MDF and acrylic prototypes into the grey Laser Cutter waste bin near the laser cutter.

  • 3D printing material (PLA) can be placed in the regular recycling bins.

  • Pens and markers can be thrown in the pen & marker recycling bin at the entrance of the lab

  • ECG/EEG/EMG electrode stickers can be thrown in the regular trash.

Chemical & Biological

SAFETY: Wear appropriate PPE at all times. You are handling waste.

Cleanup:

• • Put all equipment and extra supplies in their designated locations (Locations on General Inventory List).

  • Remove all labeling tape from glass/plasticware.

  • Wash all glassware and containers used, and hang them from the racks above the sinks.

  • Replace all reagents in their proper locations.

  • Wipe down all used surfaces with a 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Solution.

  • Dispose of waste, hazardous and non-hazardous.  

  • ECG/EEG/EMG electrode stickers can be thrown in the regular trash.

  • Paper towels, Kimwipes, & paper wrappers can go into regular trash.

  • Depending on contamination, gloves can be thrown either in regular trash or in the biohazard bins.

  • Gels from electrophoreses must be wrapped in saran/plastic wrap and then thrown into the regular trash.

  • Consult Lab Staff if unsure about any of the above.

The Waste Pathway:

The laboratory disposes of waste in many separate ways. Each type of waste is classified by the risks it poses, and is disposed of in a manner commensurate with said risk. Therefore, this is what you do:

See the EHRS link for more details on waste disposal.