# Disposal Restricted Waste ## Summary How to identify and dispose of disposal restricted waste (DRW), including agarose and polyacrylamide gels, mercury amalgams and solvents, metal blades, and non-biological sharps. ## Who is this for? - Building and operations management. - Labs and research. ## Managing disposal restricted waste DRW is a category of waste that does not have regulatory disposal requirements but could still harm the greater Harvard community and the environment if you do not follow proper disposal practices. [Biological waste](/resource/biological-waste "Biological Waste"), [hazardous chemical waste](/resource/chemical-and-hazardous-waste "Chemical and Hazardous Waste"), [radioactive waste](/resource/radiation-waste "Radiation Waste"), and [universal waste](/resource/universal-waste "Universal Waste") must follow applicable disposal procedures. Open all sections Close all sections ### Agarose and polyacrylamide gels expand\_more Agarose and polyacrylamide gels may contain mutagens or teratogens like ethidium bromide, SYBR Gold, or SYBR Green. Properly disposing of gels with known mutagens reduces the risks of harming aquatic life, custodial exposure incidents, and nuisance odors in labs and dumpsters. #### Low mutagenic concentrations You can dispose of gels that contain low mutagenic concentrations (typically between 0.3 mcg/mL and 0.5 mcg/mL) in the trash. 1. Dry out the gels or place them in a sealed zipper-lock bag. 2. Place the dried-out gel container or sealed bag in the trash for normal waste disposal. #### Higher mutagenic concentrations You must arrange for chemical waste vendors to dispose of gels with higher mutagenic concentrations (typically above 0.5 mcg/mL). 1. Collect gels in an appropriate storage container for disposal: - 1-gal jar. - 5-gal bucket (double bagged). - Sealed zipper-lock bag. 2. Affix a DRW label to the container. Include the date you started accumulating the waste. 3. Check the "Agarose or Polyacrylamide Gels" checkbox. 4. Store the collected gels near your hazardous waste satellite accumulation area (SAA) for pickup. Do not store the container in your SAA. 5. When the container is three-quarters full, request a [chemical waste pickup](/resource/waste-pickups-and-supplies "Waste Pickups and Supplies"). ### Mercury amalgams and solvents expand\_more Mercury amalgams and solvents are regulated recyclable materials that must follow 310 CMR 30.200. To dispose of mercury amalgams and solvents: 1. Submit a Class A recycling permit (contact EHS for support). 2. Collect materials in a container that is in good condition, you can close tightly, and is compatible with the waste. 3. Affix a DRW label to the container. Include the date you started accumulating the waste. 4. Check the "Regulated Recyclable Material" checkbox and the checkbox for the applicable material. List the contents of solvent containers. 5. Store the collected waste near your hazardous waste SAA for pickup. Do not store the container in your SAA. 6. Follow your location’s established procedures to manage regulated recyclable materials. ### Metal blades expand\_more You can recycle metal blades like razors, scalpels, and saws if they meet these criteria: - Blades are not contaminated with hazardous materials. You can recycle blades with cutting oil residue. - Blades are not commingled with needles or glass sharps. If you do not properly dispose of metal blades, they can present significant hazards to coworkers, custodial staff, and waste management staff. To dispose of metal blades: 1. Collect blades in a shatter-resistant glass jar. 2. Affix a DRW label to the container. Include the date you started accumulating the waste. 3. Check the "Metal Blades" checkbox. 4. Store the collected blades near your hazardous waste SAA for pickup. Do not store the container in your SAA. 5. When the container is three-quarters full, request a [chemical waste pickup](/resource/waste-pickups-and-supplies "Waste Pickups and Supplies"). ### Non-biological sharps expand\_more Review [how to dispose of other non-biological sharps](/resource/sharps-disposal "Sharps Disposal"). ## Other waste restricted from sink and trash disposal DRW also includes: - Waste that cannot go down the drain or in the trash. - Waste that needs further evaluation and analysis before drain disposal, such as glycol, vegetable oil, or wastewater awaiting analysis. To request approval to dispose of DRW as trash or down a sink drain: 1. Collect the waste in a container that is in good condition, compatible with the waste, and that you can close tightly. 2. Affix a DRW label to the container. Include the date you started accumulating the waste. 3. Check the “Other Disposal Limited Wastes” checkbox and list the contents of the container in the space provided. 4. If necessary, contact EHS for help with analytical characterization. 5. If applicable, [request a waste pickup](/resource/waste-pickups-and-supplies "Waste Pickups and Supplies"). 6. If EHS approves sink drain disposal and the analytical results confirm drain discharge is allowed, [dispose of the waste down the drain](/resource/sink-disposal "Sink Disposal"). ## Related resources Find documents and online tools to manage DRW. [### Disposal Restricted Waste Poster ](/resource/disposal-restricted-waste-poster)Printable poster about disposal restricted waste [### Waste Pickups and Supplies ](/resource/waste-pickups-and-supplies)Request waste pickups and supplies ## EHS support [Contact EHS](/contact-us "Contact Us") for more information about identifying and disposing of DRW. See also:- [ Waste Management and Disposal ](/topic-areas/waste-management-and-disposal) - [ Disposal Restricted Waste ](/topic-areas/disposal-restricted-waste) - [ Building and Operations Managers ](/audience/building-and-operations-managers)