1. Biological Waste from Laboratories
Why so many rules and what does Stericycle have to do with it?

2. Yes. Your lab waste is regulated.
MA state regulation 105 CMR
Human blood and materials contaminated with human blood
Human parts, tissues, fluids
Cultures of infectious agents as well as all labware used with cultures generated in research and clinical laboratories
Biotechnology by-product effluents such as cultures and solutions contaminated with microorganisms (including genetically altered)
Animal carcasses, body parts, body fluids, blood, bedding
Sharps
BPHC and NIH
Recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids
Waste that because of its characteristics may cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness; or pose a substantial present potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed.
Human parts - (excludes urine, teeth, snot, vomit, fecal materials)

3. MA approved mechanisms of biological waste disinfection
Steam disinfection / autoclaving;
Chemical disinfection;
Incineration at an approved incineration facility; or
Any other method approved in writing by the Department.
Pathological waste – human and animal tissues and body parts must be incinerated
Sharps – must be disinfected and then processed to eliminate the physical hazard

4. Steam disinfection / Autoclaving
In order to use autoclaving as the mechanism of inactivation of waste:
Every load must be evaluated for proper heating
Annual calibration by trained individual
Quarterly qualitative biological challenge – spore reduction
Document everything and keep records for 3 years.
How much time would this cost your lab personnel?

5. Feasibility of other mechanisms of disinfection on our campus
Chemical disinfection
Done routinely for liquid waste
Addition of bleach to liquid waste followed by disposal down sink
Incineration at an approved incineration facility
An approved incineration facility is not available on campus
Shredding/grinding of sharps
Equipment not available on campus

6. The Stericycle option.
Removes solid waste (not yet inactivated) from campus and performs disinfection and disposal processes off site:
autoclaving
Incineration
shedding/grinding
Relies on ability to ship waste via DOT regulations

7. Pathological Waste Solid Waste
Collected in cardboard boxes specifically labeled “incinerate only”
Transported to Stericycle autoclave plant in Woonsocket RI
Waste is autoclaved, shredded and compacted
Transported to approved Stericycle incineration facility in Haw River, North Carolina
Transported to North Andover, MA for incineration to generate elecricity
Ash is landfilled

8. Pathological Waste Solid Waste
Collected in cardboard boxes specifically labeled “incinerate only”
Transported to Stericycle autoclave plant in Woonsocket RI
Waste is autoclaved, shredded and compacted
Transported to approved Stericycle incineration facility in Haw River, North Carolina
$$$
Transported to North Andover, MA for incineration to generate elecricity
Ash is landfilled

9. NOT the mechanism of disinfection
Pathological Waste
Solid Waste
Collected in cardboard boxes specifically labeled “incinerate only”
Transported to Stericycle autoclave plant in Woonsocket RI
Waste is autoclaved, shredded and compacted
Transported to approved Stericycle incineration facility in Haw River, North Carolina
NOT the mechanism of disinfection
$$$
Transported to North Andover, MA for incineration to generate elecricity
Ash is landfilled

10. Exceptions Risk Group 3 and 4 infectious microorganisms
MA regulations require this to be inactivated on site
Autoclave
Committee on Microbiological Safety (COMS) stipulations that require autoclaving of specific organisms before disposal into a Stericycle biowaste container
Rare
Still required to go into Stericycle biowaste containers because most autoclaves on campus are not calibrated and validated to meet state requirements

11. Stericycle services at SPH
Solid waste options:
Gray plastic bins lined with red bag
Lab staff retrieve these from storage areas in loading dock
Cardboard boxes lined with 2 red bags
Red bags provided by custodial
NOT for autoclaving
Sharps waste options:
Disposable sharps containers purchased by labs
Placed in either gray bins or boxes when full
Removal of waste from labs
Request pick up of waste by custodial staff

12. Common misconceptions
It’s a “burn box”. Everything is incinerated to kill the infectious agents.
I have to autoclave all waste before putting it into the Stericycle bin/box.
We have to use the cardboard boxes because everyone else on our floor does.
Drawbacks to boxes:
Should not be placed directly on the floor
Should have plastic lid rather than cardboard
Contributes to volume of waste