Hazardous Waste

Flooding Event and Improper Disposal of Glassware

March 6, 2025
What happened?

Last month, severe flooding occurred in a campus building, leading to unexpected challenges in laboratory waste management.

A serious concern emerged when floodwater seeped into cardboard boxes, used for clean glass disposal, that did not have plastic liners. Without this essential barrier, the integrity of the boxes were compromised, rendering them unsafe for handling and disposal.

As a result, safety responders had to take extra precautions to safely transfer the broken glass and sharps to new disposal...

Important: New UC Chemical Inventory Requirements

March 20, 2024

In response to a directive from the UC Office of the President on December 15, 2023, Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) will be working closely with campus departments to establish appropriate practices for both initial tagging and ongoing maintenance of chemical inventories as part of multiyear implementation of UCOP’s ...

Brian Olson

Hazardous Waste Manager
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous Waste
Waste Disposal
Medical / Bio Waste

Unknowns Questionnaire

2024

For disposal of unknowns, fill out template as completely as possible to communicate known hazards and relevant information to EH&S, or describe in comments as appropriate. Print and attach to each bottle for pickup.

Please log into the Hazardous Waste Program (HWP) to create a waste label and request a pickup.

General Autoclave Safety

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2023

Autoclaves are used for steam sterilization – a process achieved by using superheated steam to kill microorganisms and spores. Autoclaves are used to decontaminate certain biological waste and sterilize lab materials.