Waste Management Grid

Trash/Solid Waste

Regulated Medical Waste

Incinerated Waste
Chemotherapy/Human
Tissues

Pharmaceutical Waste
Discontinued, Expired and
Unused Medications

Clear/White/Brown Bags

Red Bags and Sharps

Containers

Yellow Containers/Path
Containers

Black Containers

Definition: All blood/blood

products and other potentially
infectious fluids. These other
potentially infectious fluids are
semen, vaginal secretions,
pleural, pericardial, cerebrospinal,
amniotic, and synovial fluids and
saliva following dental
procedures.

Examples: Items contaminated

with cytotoxic agents such as;
chemotherapeutics including IV
bags, tubing & other items in
contact with the agent(s). Also
includes solid human remains
such as; pathologic specimens &
body parts.

Examples:
Paper, boxes, office waste
Unused medical supplies
PPE not grossly soiled
Dressings not saturated with
blood or bloody fluids/drainage

Emptied containers including

catheter bags, suction containers
if not used to contain blood

Any item that has one of those

fluids on it in a quantity sufficient
to drip when held vertically or
squeezed must be placed in red
bag waste. This does not include
urine, feces, vomitus, sweat, or
tears unless blood is visibly
present. If you do not know what
the fluid is assume it is potentially
infectious and dispose in red bag
waste.

Diapers and underpads (unless

soaked with amniotic fluid and/or
blood)

Examples:
Microbiologic waste except
culture stock and plates**

Disposable basins, bedpans, NG

tubes, feeding tubes, containers
without bloody drainage

Liquid blood/blood products/

potentially infectious body fluids
not otherwise discarded or
flushed

Food wastes
IV bags and tubings -NOT
NEEDLES, BLOOD BAGS,
CHEMO BAGS, or BLOODY
LINES/TUBES

Non-mercury batteries
Empty aerosol cans

When possible, drain all liquids

prior to disposal. Human waste
can be emptied into sewer
system. Always wear PPE when
emptying fluids. Be especially
aware of the risk of splash
when disposing of fluids into a
commode or hopper.
Wear eye protection to prevent
a splash to your eyes

Wound drains and tubes (e.g.,

wound sumps, Jackson-Pratt)
IV/Arterial catheters or any other
line containing blood. Blood
Bags
Dressings saturated with blood
or bloody drainage/fluids
Glass bottles, ampules & vials
Sharps containers
Sharps containers are used for
items such as needles,
syringes, scalpels, pipettes,
lancets, glass slides & tubes,
surgical staples & wires, and
disposable surgical
instruments. Anything that can
puncture or cut goes in the
sharps container.
**culture stock and plates must
be placed in the designated UN
containers for disposal and
transport in order to meet Dept
of Transportation regulations.

Developed by Infection Control at

University of Louisville Hospital

Definition: If a drug is not used

for its intended purpose, then it
must be disposed of in a Black
Bucket.
This includes expired, unused, or
discontinued medication
Examples:

**This waste must be labeled at

the point of generation. Use
only appropriately labeled
containers.
(i.e. labeled for chemo/cytotoxic
wastes or incineration)
_________________________

Other Items
Other items such as mercury,
solvents, paints, radioactive
materials, batteries (other than
regular alkaline) and formalin
require additional measures
during disposal. Call
Environmental Services for
disposal assistance or if you have
questions.
Mercury and blood spill kits
should be available in all areas
where potential for spill of these
items can be reasonably
anticipated. Kits are available
from General Stores.
Areas where formalin, or
cytotoxic agents, is used require
additional training & specialized
spill management materials.
For additional information, the
following departments can be of
assistance:
ALL BAGS MUST BE TIED AT
THE TOP WHEN LOADED FOR
TRANSPORT AND DISPOSAL

IV Bags w/drug, Vials, Ampoules,

Inhalers, Ointment tubes, expired
medication
Examples of Specific
Medication:
Insulin, Vaccines, Chloraseptic,
Silvadene Cream, Silver Nitrate
Solution, Antibiotics, Antifungals,
Steroids
Acutely Toxic Waste:
Nicotine and Warfarin
(Coumadin) wrappers must be
placed in a separate Black
Bucket or sent back to Pharmacy.
Examples of Acutely Toxic
Waste:
Packaging that contained a
Nicotine patch
Packaging that contained
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Your unit may have a specially
marked Acutely Hazardous Black
Bucket
Or
You can send Nicotine and
Warfarin wrappers/packaging
back to the Pharmacy.