How to dispose of old lab equipment

Welcome to Beyond Surplus; we are the leading lab equipment disposal company in the United States. Below are only suggested guides on how to dispose of old lab equipment. Based out of Atlanta, Georgia, Home of the CDC, we process thousands of laboratory assets yearly from fortune 1000 facilities, private labs, testing facilities, small businesses, colleges, and school districts.

As a general rule, all equipment used to handle or store biological agents or located in a biological laboratory (ex., freezers, incubators, centrifuges, etc.) that needs to be recycled or disposed off must be decontaminated with bleach or another EPA-registered disinfectant, followed by 70% ethanol (v/v, diluted in water).

Laboratory Equipment Recycling and Disposition

The disposal of laboratory equipment should not be complicated, yet depending on the size of the machine, it can seem like a daunting task. We take the guesswork out of how to dispose of defective lab equipment like x-ray machines or centrifuges.

Breathing New Life into Old Lab Equipment

Does your lab equipment have any resale value? Request a free, no-obligation, Valuation from Beyond Surplus to find out the value of your company’s lab equipment, scientific equipment or test equipment. We every step of the disposal of your equipment on a profit-sharing basis or offers you a straight buyout for newer equipment.

Searching for What To Do With Your Old Lab Equipment?

You ended up on our page because you are searching for what to do with your old lab equipment. Beyond Surplus specializes in the removal and disposal of all types of scientific, test, and laboratory equipment. Disposal of lab equipment requires comprehensive planning, swift turnaround times, and coordinated simultaneous parallel activities with various other vendors like facility maintenance, plumbers, or electricians.

Lab Equipment Decontamination Guidelines

Safety First! Unplug the equipment from any power outlets.
Drain Aliquids or leftover test material.
Put on appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). At a minimum, gloves and safety glasses should be worn.
Apply an EPA-registered disinfectant on the equipment. Refer to the equipment manual for the appropriate disinfectant solution and application. In most cases, a freshly prepared 1:10 bleach solution should be used to disinfect biological agents.
Allow the disinfectant to remain on the equipment for the appropriate contact time (30 minutes).
Altogether remove (by wiping with a towel/rag) the disinfectant from the equipment. (Used towels/Rags should be discarded).
Spray the equipment with 70% ethanol or 70% isopropanol (v/v, diluted in water).
Print out a “Decontamination Certification” form. Sign, date, and affix the form to the equipment.
The designated lab manager or representative must sign the form and affix one form to each piece of equipment and contact Beyond Surplus to Dismantle or remove the equipment.
Once the above steps are complicated, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Beyond Surplus facilities Equipment Disposal.

Has the Lab Equipment been used with or contained the following:

Select all that apply.

Mercury, including switches and lamps? Yes☐ No☐

Radiation Source? Yes☐ No☐ Not Sure☐ ?

X-ray Device Yes☐ No☐ Not Sure☐ ?

Radioactive Material? Yes☐ No☐ Not Sure☐ ?

Oil and oil-filled transformers? Yes☐No☐

Refrigerants? Yes☐ No☐

Batteries? Yes☐ No☐

Capacitors that need to be discharged? Yes☐ No☐

Asbestos? Yes☐ No☐

Lead? Yes☐ No☐

Biological Agents? Yes☐ No☐

Chemicals? Yes☐ No☐

N/A (Equipment has never been used with any hazardous materials) ☐

Important Lab Equipment Decontamination Disclaimer

All laboratory equipment that has been used with radioactive materials, hazardous chemicals, or potentially infectious biological agents is required to be properly decontaminated. It is your responsibility to remove all known hazardous materials and to decontaminate the equipment if applicable. Equipment that is NOT in a laboratory setting does not require decontamination.

Why Should You Recycle Your Lab Equipment?

Why should you recycle your lab equipment? Protect your brand and image by disposing of your lab, test, or scientific equipment responsibly. Laboratory Equipment cannot be disposed of in a manner that may end up in a landfill. Many states enforce recycling laws through hefty monetary fines.

Did you know medical, scientific, or laboratory equipment used today is manufactured with components that, when not properly disposed of, pose a hazard both to human health and the environment?

Medical, scientific, or lab equipment components contain chemicals and heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, and zinc. These components do not belong in a landfill!