8.4 Infectious and sharp/pointed waste

This category includes:

Liquid infectious/microbiological waste, such as:

• Human bodily fluids (blood/urine, excluding tissue).
• Microorganisms in risk class 1 (cell culture waste classified as minimal risk).
• Microorganisms in risk classes 2 and 3*.
• Genetically Modified Microorganism (GMM) waste and also genetically modified cell cultures.
• Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) plants*.
• Low-level radioactive liquid contaminated with the above.
• Liquids as mentioned above that have also been exposed to chemicals/pharmaceuticals, e.g., antibiotics.

*Management requires a permit/report. The management of waste (liquid or solid) must follow the waste rules stated in the report.

Solid infectious waste, which includes:

• Materials that have been in contact with or used in handling the above, such as blood sample tubes, Eppendorf tubes, Pasteur pipettes, pipette tips, filter paper, gloves, paper towels, etc.
• Sharp/pointed objects, such as cannulas, needles, lancets, slides, and the like, regardless of whether they have been in contact with infectious materials.

Other waste categories

Certain waste categories must always be packed in a “sharps container” or a plastic container:

• Pointed/Sharp materials: Do not recap needles after use. Discard them directly into the “sharps container”.
• Culture materials in risk class 2: This applies if there is a high titre (high cell concentration), e.g., culture plates.
• Culture materials with airborne infectious matter: This applies to risk class 2/airborne infectious Genetically Modified Microorganism (GMM) category L, independent of titre.

When the container is full, place it in a cardboard box following the instructions below.

Containers for infectious and sharp waste should be placed in the cardboard box labeled as “Smittförande/skärande/stickande” (infectious/sharp). The boxes can be picked up at the janitors office. 

Once the box is full, the plastic bag inside should be sealed using cable ties or tape, and the box itself should be securely closed and sealed with tape.

Please follow these steps:

• Write your name and contact information on the top of the box. Make sure to underline the correct waste category.
• Print and fill in the Item declaration form for infectious waste, in Swedish (PDF 151 kB, new tab)
• Take the box to the janitors office and weigh it before placing it in the pick-up room.

Note! Needles, cannulas, syringes, razor blades, etc., that are contaminated with chemicals, must be placed in a “sharps container” or a plastic container labeled with the correct pictogram, such as flammable, toxic etc. These containers will be collected as chemical waste.