Laboratory Glass Disposal at The University of Bristol

A large amount of Laboratory Glass can be recycled safely at the University; however it is essential that the following is adhered to:

• The bottles must be empty and free from hazardous (e.g. chemical, biological or radioactive) residues or contamination.
• All hazard warning labels, marks and symbols must be defaced. The label itself does not need to be removed.
• Bottle caps, stoppers, corks and other non-glass items are to be removed and are not to be put into the glass recycling bins.
• Glass pipette tips must be disposed of via ‘sharps’ disposal routes.
• No other materials may be placed in the glass recycling bins.

Further information can be found on the Health and Safety web site in relation to laboratory safety. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/safety/

Mixed Glass Recycling Bins are located at University departments and buildings. Glass of any colour (clear, brown, green, blue) may be put into these bins together however we can only accept bottles and jars. Window pane, drinking glass vessels and Pyrex cannot be placed in these bins.

1. Glass bottles that have contained organic solvents and cannot be returned to the supplier (please explore this option in the first instance):

Bottles containing any permanent residues or drying agents (e.g. sodium wire) MUST NOT be disposed of by recycling, and must be removed, without washing, as chemical waste through the Health and Safety Office (0117 928 9080): otherwise:

• Dispose of the cap as general landfill waste.
• Dispose of any solvent residue in an appropriate solvent waste drum.
• If the solvent was water-soluble, wash the bottle out with water. Fill the bottle to the brim with water (to drive out the vapour) and pour down the drain.
• Cross out the label with a black marker pen.
• Dispose of the bottle by recycling.

2. Glass bottles that have contained other chemicals and cannot be returned to the supplier (please explore this option in the first instance):

Glass bottles which are not completely empty should be disposed of without washing as chemical waste.

• Bottles which have contained water-reactive or non-water-soluble chemicals and cannot otherwise be emptied should be disposed of without washing as chemical waste.
• If it would be unsafe to unduly handle a chemical bottle you should dispose of it as chemical waste.

Otherwise:

• Dispose of the cap as general landfill
• Wash the bottle thoroughly in water.
• Cross out the label with a black marker pen.

• Dispose of the bottle by recycling

3."Safebreak" bottles that cannot be returned to the supplier (please explore this option in the first instance):

Dispose of the bottles without washing as chemical waste. They are not suitable for recycling as they involve a plastic lining/coating.

Broken glass once made safe from a biological, chemical or radioactive point of view must be carefully wrapped in paper and disposed of via general waste bins.