Surplus items must be stored until Moving Services can pick them up, which usually takes about a week from the time the request is submitted. Please do not place any items in the hallways or on the loading dock.

An informal exchange between labs in Biology for on-campus use is encouraged. If the item being exchanged has a white UW inventory tag, the name of the new custodian must be entered in OASIS, the Equipment Inventory Control system. Please notify Alex Hansen (ahansen@uw.edu) or Aaron Hernandez (aaroneh@uw.edu) of the new custodian and location.

To dispose of unwanted items, please notify  Alex Hansen or Aaron Hernandez, who will arrange a pickup. Request computer disposal using the online Biology Computer Support Request.

Decontamination of Surplus Laboratory Equipment

All laboratory equipment that has been contaminated or potentially contaminated with biological material,  chemicals, or radioisotopes must be decontaminated prior to disposal. Decontamination procedures are outlined on the reverse of the “Notice of Laboratory Equipment Decontamination” form, which must be signed and attached to the equipment before it is picked up. Refrigerators, incubators, and freezers require an additional sanitizing step of wiping all interior surfaces with 10% bleach. Responsibility for decontamination lies with the lab disposing of the equipment! More information about  decontamination.

 

Biology’s primary recycling centers are in the basement of LSB and loading dock. Information about LSB recycling/disposal.

Paper, Journals, Magazines, Catalogs, and Phonebooks

Paper is recycled in: individual self-service bins and bagits, hallway receptacles, and the large green bins in the mailroom and loading dock. Custodial staff take care of these bins. Paper does not need to be sorted. Please observe the 35-pound weight limit for individual bins and bagits.

Do not recycle: food-soiled paper, like pizza boxes (compost) or confidential documents (shred).

Cardboard

There are two shelves in the stockroom (above the gas tanks) for storing corrugated cardboard boxes for reuse.   To recycle cardboard boxes: flatten and leave by the recycling stations or put in the green recycling dumpster next to the loading dock.

E.Media

E.Media box is in the LSB Basement opposite the elevators.  This includes disks, zip disks, CDs, DVDs, audiotapes, videotapes, and their cases. DO NOT place anything with confidential information in these bins. Contact Green Disk or Secure Shred to have these destroyed.

Mixed Containers: Aluminum, Glass, and Plastic Bottles

Mixed containers are the grey receptacles in the hallways and the blue bins on the loading dock.  They accept: plastic bottles, jars, jugs &tubs (no lids); glass bottles & jars; Steel/tin cans; aluminum cans (do not crush); cartons; plastic and paper cups; and empty aerosol cans. No broken or lab glass.

Plastic Film (plastic bags, bubble wrap, deflated air pillows, and shrink wrap)

Place in the Gray bins on the loading dock. Plastic bags and shrink wrap that have contained food or are contaminated in any way are not permitted (garbage).

Batteries

E.Media box is in the LSB Basement opposite the elevators. 

Packing Peanuts (Styrofoam, cellulose, and cardboard) (LSB B147A)

Remove any contamination and put in the large metal garbage cans in the Stockroom.

Styrofoam (LSB B147)

Remove all tape and labels and leave by the outside door to the Stockroom.  No flexible foam (garbage).

If you have a styrofoam container with a cardboard box that fits it, bring both to the stockroom for re-use.

Toner Cartridges 

Place the used cartridge in the new toner box, seal with tape, and write “USED” on the lid. Box is in the LSB Basement opposite the elevators. 

Pallets

Lean against the wall on the loading dock. Wood crates should be surplussed.

Pippette Tip Boxes & Trays

It is preferred that you set up a recycling program with a manufacturer:

• Genesee Scientific
• Laboratory Products Sales
• Rainin: Contact Rainin via email.

If you don't have a recycling program set up:

• Place empty pipette tip boxes and trays in a clear plastic bag with no contamination.
• Tie the bag securely and bring the bag to your building’s loading dock.
• Place the bag in the blue cart or dumpster marked “Mixed Containers” or “Cans & Bottles”.

Note: This is a self-service program; Custodial Services is not responsible for recycling your pipette tip boxes and trays.

 

Use the brown bin on the loading dock for compostable items.

Acceptable: food scraps, approved compostable serviceware, food-soiled paper, flowers and plants (no soil), paper bags, and biodegradable bags.

Unacceptable: Milk, juice, & ice cream cartons; plastic; paper take-out containers lined with plastic; styrofoam; foil; wire; rubber bands; grease; liquids; restroom tissues/towels; painted or treated wood; metal; latex & plastic gloves; hazardous waste; and garbage.

 

Put glass waste in a plastic-bag-lined, cardboard box.  Seal with nylon reinforced tape, mark with “LABORATORY GLASS WASTE” tape, and write the PI name and building & room number on it.  Place by the garbage bin in the hallway.  The box must weigh less than 35 pounds and not be larger than 12x12x12.

Laboratory Glass Waste Tape can be purchased in the Stockroom.

 

Sharps include syringes (with or without needles), razor blades, glass pipettes, needles, and any glass that might contain blood or other contaminants. Dispose of in the red plastic sharps containers that can be purchased from the Stockroom.

When the container is 2/3 full:

• Tape the lid on with autoclave tape (do not cover vents)
• Label with PI Name / Room Number
• Leave on counter above Sharps collection box in stockroom

Sharps / Lab Glass Disposal Poster

Fluorescent Lamps

Do not put fluorescent lamps in the dumpster­—they contain hazardous materials and can explode. Either take to HCK 016 to store or contact Facilities at 5-8815 to schedule a pickup

Do not remove overhead fluorescent lamps, submit a work request through FS-Works.

Bring other light bulbs to the stockroom, place in the light bulb tray on the shelf by the door.

 

Regular garbage is picked up by the custodians.  There is a 35 pound limit so do not overfill small containers. There are two large brown & black dumpsters by the loading dock for garbage.