Lab waste

Most UW lab waste is managed through programs operated by Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), UW Surplus, UW Recycling (Seattle campus), UW Bothell Office of Sustainability or UW Tacoma Facilities. From chemical disposal to bin signage, these systems are continually maintained and updated by the responsible operational units. Green Labs aims to support these programs by identifying ways to reduce lab waste, improve material reuse and enhance lab-specific understanding of existing sorting systems.

Our future work in this area may include partnering with UW Recycling and EH&S to:

• Identify opportunities for reducing and reusing lab materials.
• Explore feasibility of specialty waste stream pilots (e.g., gloves, pipette tips), where appropriate.

Best Practices

• Reduce and Reuse First: Whenever possible, avoid disposables and explore options for shared equipment or consumable reduction.
• Hazardous Waste Guidance: Follow specific protocols for biohazardous, chemical, glass, or sharps waste.
• Look it up: learn how to correctly dispose of lab materials.
  • Bothell: Check the Recycling, Disposal and Surplus page for your item or reach out to UW Bothell Office of Sustainability at uwbsust@uw.edu.
  • Seattle: Use the UW Disposal Guide
  • Tacoma: Use the City of Tacoma What Goes Where tool
• Take waste training:
  • Intro to recycling & waste diversion at UW Seattle
  • Managing Laboratory Chemicals
  • Shipping Regulated Medical Waste
• Infrastructure support: 
  • Bothell: Reach out to the Office of Sustainability at uwbsust@uw.edu.
  • Seattle: Request a site visit from UW Recycling to evaluate bin types and signage needs.
  • Tacoma: Reach out to Custodial Services.
• Avoid wishcycling: Don’t put items that are not accepted into the recycling. Sorting systems are complex and lab-specific items can cause contamination (learn more).

Please note: Bin placement and signage must be coordinated with the responsible facilities or custodial team. Sorting systems are space- and occupant-dependent and may vary across labs. Information here is general guidance and should not replace direct consultation with EH&S and the responsible facilities or custodial team.