Used Blood Vials and Collection Tubes
Any used blood vial or collection tubes should be disposed of as medical waste in puncture -resistant containers.
Unused Blood Vials and Collection Tubes
Collection tubes and blood vials without additives are not hazardous and can be disposed of through regular waste streams such as recycling or regular trash.
Plastic: For information on what types of laboratory plastics can be recycled, read Eppendorf's article: Why Are Laboratory Consumables Not Made of Recycled Plastic?.
Glass: Considered non-hazardous sharps. For more information on how to dispose of these, visit:
Vials or tubes with additives can be submitted to the Hazardous Chemical Waste Program for disposal.
- Always segregate similar tube and additive types together and remove all excess plastic wrapping and Styrofoam prior to disposal.
- Vials or tubes with trace or dry additives: Handle and dispose of as sharps contaminated with chemicals
- Vials or tubes with visible liquids: Considered mixed waste and should be labeled as liquid for disposal. Follow routine chemical waste disposal procedures: How to Prepare and Store Hazardous Waste
