How to prepare these for disposal?
Tissues in chemical fixative
In order for these to be received by the hazardous chemical waste team the tissues/specimen must be separated from the liquid fixative.
- Under a fume hood use a strainer to separate solids from the liquids.
- The solid tissues/specimens are placed in a red biohazardous waste bag to be disposed of as pathology waste
Self Drop-Off Areas for Medical Waste - The chemical liquid can be collected and disposed of as a hazardous chemical waste
How to prepare you hazardous waste
Paraffin Block Tissue
- Are placed in a red biohazardous waste bag to be disposed of as pathology waste. (see self drop-off areas above for access).
Glass slides with fixed tissues
- Never discard as glass waste. Glass waste is recycled and these can not be recycled. Only clean unused glass slides can be recycled.
- Glass slides with fixed tissues that are not biohazardous and are disposed of as chemical sharps waste (click to see how to dispose of these).
- Glass slides with tissues that are biohazardous are disposed of as biohazardous sharps waste (see self drop-off areas above for access).
- If you are unsure dispose of them as biohazardous sharps waste
Perfusion Materials
- Absorbent materials containing bloods such as absorbent pads or paper towels must be disposed of as pathology waste and should not contain free liquid.
- Liquids waste collected from perfusion can be disposed of as chemicals waste but cannot exceed 40% blood and solids must be strained and discarded as pathology waste.
