Waste handling
Waste is anything that is to be discarded.
The University strives for a healthier and cleaner environment through programs of toxic pollution reduction and prevention, air, water, and solid waste management.
Hazardous waste are defined and follow Saudi Arabia Environment Protection Department.
The major questions to be asked before release of any objects or materials from laboratories dealing with potentially infectious microorganisms or animal tissues are:
- Have the objects or materials been effectively decontaminated or disinfected by an approved procedure?
- If not, have they been packaged in an approved manner for immediate on-site incineration or transfer to another facility with incineration capacity?
- Does the disposal of the decontaminated objects or materials involve any additional potential hazards, biological or otherwise, to those who carry out the immediate disposal procedures or who might come into contact with discarded items outside the facility?
The Campus generates a wide variety of hazardous waste. Activities generating hazardous waste include the Chemistry, Biology, Medicine, Pharmacy and Engineering Departments. Hazardous waste is disposed of through a licensed firm credited by KSA Government. The dominant norm is that all infectious materials should be decontaminated, autoclaved or incinerated within the laboratory. Infectious waste is steam autoclaved or incinerated by a licensed firm. All personnel working in the Laboratory either students (UG, MSc, Postgrad, and PhD) are expected to receive appropriate info present in The Laboratory Safety Manual by their Lab manager in cooperation with the Safety officer using teaching material approved by the ULSC. Evidence of training and information must be obtained through a waiver form (Annex 2). Waste Management and Recycling will be handled by outside Contract Company.
Decontamination For BASIC LABORATORIES – BIO-SAFETY LEVELS 1 AND 2
Steam autoclaving is the preferred method for all decontamination processes. Materials for decontamination and disposal should be placed in containers, e.g. autoclavable plastic bags that are color-coded according to whether the contents are to be autoclaved and/or incinerated. Alternative methods may be envisaged only if they remove and/or kill microorganisms.
Handling and disposal procedures for contaminated materials and wastes
An identification and separation system for infectious materials and their containers should be adopted. National and international regulations must be followed. Categories should include:
- Non-contaminated (non-infectious) waste that can be reused or recycled or disposed of as general, “household” waste
- Contaminated (infectious) “sharps” – hypodermic needles, scalpels, knives and broken glass; these should always be collected in puncture-proof containers fitted with covers and treated as infectious
- Contaminated material for decontamination by autoclaving and thereafter washing and reuse or recycling
- Contaminated material for autoclaving and disposal
- Contaminated material for direct incineration.