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Medical Waste Sharps

Definition

MSU requires that all employees involved in the generation, handling and disposal of biohazardous waste (which includes medical waste sharps) comply with the provisions of the Biohazardous Waste Management Plan (PDF).

Medical waste sharps are defined in the Michigan Medical Waste Regulatory Act as all empty needles, syringes (with or without needles or plungers), scalpels, and intravenous tubing with needles attached whether they are contaminated or not. This includes ALL sharps, and not just those that are contaminated with potentially infectious materials.

In addition, according to the MIOSHA Bloodborne Disease Standard, other items that are sharp enough to puncture skin and are contaminated with potentially infectious materials, including, but not limited to Pasteur pipettes, slides with unfixed biological materials, and broken glassware are collected as medical waste sharps.

All medical waste sharps must be collected through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program and MUST NOT be placed in the general refuse trash.

Container Type

Medical Waste Sharps

All medical waste sharps must be collected in red, leakproof, puncture-resistant, and closable containers that bear the biohazard symbol. EHS approved medical waste sharps containers are available for purchase through University Stores in Spartan Marketplace or at Biochemistry Stores in the Biochemistry building. MSU EHS does not provide replacement sharps containers, so please have a new container on hand prior to disposal.

five different styles of red and white medical waste sharps waste containers

Non-Medical Waste Sharps

Non-medical waste sharps include blades that are not contaminated with any potentially or known infectious materials. These sharps can be collected in any puncture resistant, closable container. Full containers of non-medical sharps must be sealed before placing in the general refuse trash.

Red medical waste sharps containers must not be used for pharmaceuticals, chemotherapy or hazardous drugs, liquids, or PPE. Guidance for pharmaceutical waste is available on the EHS website.

Storage

Waste containers must be kept free of any liquids or residue on their exteriors. EHS Hazardous Waste Staff will reject any container with liquid or residue on the exterior until it has been cleaned.
  • All container lids MUST be closed once requested a Hazardous Waste Request has been submitted to EHS.
  • Do not overfill containers. When the container is 3/4 full, seal and request disposal through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program.

Labeling

Sharps containers come with MSU’s pre-printed adhesive labels that must be affixed to the container. All information including Building Name and Room #, Contact Name, and Date of First Use must be filled out when the first material is added to the container. You may not change the date of first use once the container has been used. Additional labels can be requested through the EHS Safety Portal, or can be picked up at EHS label stations across campus.

MSU EHS Sharps Label to be filled out with date of first use, date of disposal, and location, and EHS contact information

Submit Hazardous Waste Request

When container is 3/4 full or within 18-months of when the first sharp was placed in the container, submit a Hazardous Waste Request via the EHS Safety Portal as follows:

  • EHS Website: ehs.msu.edu
  • Log in to the Safety Portal through a preferred web browser using your MSU Net ID and EBS Password
  • Select Hazardous Waste Request
  • Sharps are found under the Common Process category