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EHSS
Waste Management

The Joint Genome Institute (JGI) does not produce any regulated medical waste from existing research, thus the biohazardous waste produced at JGI is managed differently than the medical/biohazardous waste produced in Berkeley . JGI has autoclaves that are used to sterilize waste contaminated with biohazardous material. Examples of the biohazardous wastes produced at JGI include attenuated E. coli, bacteria, and recombinant DNA. The autoclaves at JGI employ saturated steam under a pressure of approximately 15 psi to achieve a chamber temperature of at least 121°C (250°F) for at least 40 minutes.

 

9.1   JGI Autoclave Procedures

·        Waste contaminated only with biohazardous material is deposited into the laboratory’s designated waste containers marked with the following sign, “Biological Contaminated Waste ONLY to be AUTOCLAVED (i.e., E. coli, bacteria, recombinant DNA).” Waste contaminated with hazardous chemicals does not belong in this type of container. Contact your division safety coordinator or Waste Management Group (WMG) Generator Assistant for guidance on disposal of waste with chemical contaminants.

·        Each biologically contaminated waste container is lined with two clear autoclave bags.

·        When the container is full, remove and seal the inner bag with a wire tie or blue rubber band. Avoid overfilling, as there is limited space in the autoclave. If the inner bag is damaged, seal the outer bag closed around the damaged inner bag.

·        Using secondary containment and wearing appropriate PPE, bring the bagged waste to Room 143 in Building 100, or Room 418 in Building 400.

·        Place all bags in the metal rectangular containers that are present in the rooms.

·        Sharps containers in the laboratory are labeled as “unregulated sharps” and should be placed in the metal containers after closing the sharps container lid. Do not overfill the sharps container. Once the sharps container is autoclaved, contact your WMG Generator Assistant for guidance on disposal of the sharps container.