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


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.
    • 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:

    • GLOVES, PAPER TOWELS, KIMWIPES, PAPER WRAPPERS, MAY ALL GO INTO THE REGULAR TRASH.
    • GELS FROM ELECTROPHORESES MUST BE WRAPPED IN SARAN WRAP, WHEREUPON THEY CAN BE THROWN INTO THE TRASH.
    • IF IN DOUBT, ASK!

See the EHRS link for more details on waste disposal.