Applicability

This policy applies to laboratory glassware, including:

• Intact or broken laboratory containers such as flasks, beakers, bottles;
• Small glass containers, ampoules, test tubes, vials;
• Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plates, watchglasses.

This policy does not include:

• Glass debris contaminated with biological, chemical, or radioactive material;
• Any sharp; 
• Any container with liquids or solids; 
• Anything emitting an odor;
• Large containers (> 1 liter) in which chemicals are sold. Follow the instructions for Decontaminating Empty Containers instead.

Print your own Laboratory Glassware Disposal poster and post near your glass disposal boxes.

Packaging Instructions for Non-Contaminated Laboratory Glassware

1. Place non-contaminated glassware in sturdy cardboard box lined with a plastic bag.
   • Do NOT use a bag displaying the biohazard or radiation hazard symbol.
   • Deface all reused cardboard boxes.
   • The box should not weigh more than 40 pounds. 
2. Securely seal the box with tape.
3. Label the box “CLEAN Lab Glass - Trash”.
4. Place in the trash or directly into a dumpster.

Contaminated Laboratory Glassware

Biologically contaminated glassware (broken or unbroken) is disposed of in a Sharps Disposal Container and discarded through our Waste Disposal program. 

Chemically contaminated glassware (broken or unbroken) that is contaminated with elemental mercury and/or a chemical listed on the Acute Discarded Waste List is discarded through our Waste Disposal program. Broken glass debris should be boxed up to protect the waste management staff. Laboratory glassware without these specific chemicals may be discarded in the regular trash or dumpster following the packaging instructions outlined above. 

Radiologically contaminated glassware (broken or unbroken) is discarded through our Waste Disposal program. Broken glass debris should be boxed up to protect the waste management staff.