Biohazardous Waste Management

The Environmental Health & Safety Department (EHS) coordinates the pickup of all regulated medical waste (RWA) across the UNM and HSC Campuses for disposal. 

Biohazardous Waste Pickup Requests:

  1. Make sure that your biohazardous waste is in one of the Clean Harbors red bins.
  2. Once the bins are full and are able to close, please email healthcare@cleanharbors.com, and in the email subject include "Building Name Room Number". In the email itself, include the following information:
    1. WIN ID#
    2. Room Number, and
    3. The total number of bins needing to be picked up.
  3. Clean Harbors will not pick up anything that:
    1. Is not in one of their red bins,
    2. If the bin cannot close or is overfilled, or
    3. If the bin is missing a liner.

If you're setting up a non-regular pickup (i.e., only during the semester or once a year), please fill out the Biohazardous Waste Pickup Request below; EHS will notify you when Clean Harbors can come by to pick everything up.

 

 

FAQs:

  • What bins do I use for what waste?
    • For pathological waste (recognizable human or animal remains), use the Cardboard Biohaz Boxes.
    • For medical waste (non-pathological and non-chemotherapy waste), use the Red Bins.
    • For chemotherapy waste, use the Yellow Bins.
  • What is my Waste ID Number (WIN)?
    • Your Waste ID Number (WIN) should be on the waste pickup flyer that's on each door. If it's not there, or if you're unsure about what your WIN ID is, please email chemsafety-L@list.unm.edu so we can post the flyer.
  • How do I dispose of a sharps container?
    • Sharps that are contaminated with biological material must be placed inside a red sharps container that displays a label indicating it is biohazardous waste. The sharps container can be placed inside or adjacent to a larger, red biohazardous waste bin. These bins are serviced by Clean Harbors.
    • Sharps that are contaminated with only chemicals must be placed inside a rigid, puncture-proof, leak-proof container that displays a label indicating it is hazardous waste. If using a red sharps container, make sure the biohazard symbol is covered by the hazardous waste label. Chemically contaminated sharps are not biohazardous.
  • Do I need to email Clean Harbors, or can I call them?
    • You can definitely call them! Please call 1-855-633-9783, and in your message, include the "Building Name Room Number".

If you have questions about chemical waste or chemical waste pickups, please contact EHS at 277-2753 or submit an email to chemsafety-L@list.unm.edu.