A short article on the proper use of the broken glass disposal box.

The purpose of the broken glass box (Image 2) is to safely store and dispose of any decontaminated/clean broken glassware and non-infectious slides.

• Sharps are disposed of in a sharps container (Image 3).

• UV lamps, microscope bulbs, and broken mercury thermometers are disposed of as regulated waste and not in the broken glass disposal box.

It is important to remember that the broken glass box is considered regular trash. This means that housekeeping is responsible for removing these containers from the lab. The broken glass box should not be filled to capacity. You should never smash or compress glass inside the box as an effort to increase the volume inside the container. Waste should be added to the container until it is threefourths full. It should then be taped closed, labeled with the word “trash”, and placed in the hallway.

Remember: A broken glass disposal box is for clean, broken glass.