The Institute ensures that all wastes are safely stored prior to safe disposal.

• Held in properly sealed containers at appropriate locations. 
• Kept in smallest quantity and for shortest period consistent with prudent practice and reasonable cost.
• Various types of wastes are not to be inter-mixed.
  
  

  Laboratory Chemical Wastes Radiation Materials Waste Bio-Hazardous (Red Bag) Wastes Laboratory Animal Wastes Household Trash and Garbage

  
  

   

  
  
  
  
  
  Laboratory Chemical Wastes
  
  Quantities permitting, laboratory chemical wastes are stored in appropriate containers at the point of generation pending removal by a licensed contractor.
  
  Call Housekeeping at Extension 5779 for advice and assistance.
  
  Accumulation of such wastes is to be avoided.
  
  
  
  Also see... Hazardous Materials Manual
  Also see... Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
  
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Radiation Materials Waste

Quantities permitting, Radiation Materials wastes are stored in appropriate containers at the point of generation pending removal by a Columbia University Radiation safety Office's licensed contractor. Large quantities may be stored temporarily in the Radiation Materials Storage Room on the Service Level of the Main PI Building. All such storage is under the supervision of the RSO.

Also see... Hazardous Materials Manual
Also see... Columbia University Radiation Safety Office

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Bio-Hazardous (Red Bag) Wastes

Quantities permitting, bio-hazardous wastes, including sharps, needles and syringes are stored in appropriate containers at the point of generation. Local staff will contact Housekeeping (ext 5779) to arrange removal to a central storage room on PI 1 pending removal by a licensed contractor.

All waste storage containers will be clearly identified as to contents with appropriate labels.

Also see... Infection Control Manual

Laboratory Animal Wastes

Animal wastes are kept in the Animal Facility in appropriate containers pending removal by Housekeeping.

Household Trash and Garbage

Household trash and garbage are stored temporarily in appropriate containers at point of origin. Plastic trash bags and receptacle liners will not be used on inpatient wards in areas where patients may have unsupervised access. Trash and garbage are removed to the compactor/dumpster located at the loading dock on the Service Level for carting away by licensed contractor.

NOTE: All trash exiting the Institute is scanned with a Geiger counter by trained Housekeeping staff for presence of radiation.

No radiation materials will be taken from the facility, except by appropriate contractors and/or Radiation safety Officers.

Staff detecting radiation materials in outgoing trash will immediately call 5555 to report the event.


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