Unwanted Lab Equipment

Broken Refrigerators and Freezers

EH&S picks up units small enough to be carried out with a dolly. Larger units such as -80°C freezers must be sent to Surplus Sales.

If isotopes were stored in your refrigerator or freezer, please request a radiation decontamination clearance from EH&S before you begin defrosting and decontaminating the unit.

If your unit shows signs of radiation contamination, follow EH&S's instructions on how to decontaminate and safely prepare the unwanted unit for disposal. All run-off from the melting ice must be collected and tagged as radioactive liquid waste. All paper towels, gloves, etc used in the clean-up process must be tagged as radioactive solid waste.

Small Refrigerators - Disposal via EH&S:

1. Request radiation decontamination clearance, if applicable
2. Clean and decontaminate refrigerators with fresh 10% bleach
3. Contact Safety Office to green tag the unit for disposal
4. Attach an EH&S hazardous waste tag
5. Submit an on-line waste pick-up request

Freezers and Large Refrigerators - Disposal via Surplus Sales:

1. Follow steps 1 and 3.
2. Contact Monica Flores (m1flores@ucsd.edu). Monica will arrange for Surplus Sales pick-up and adjust the faculty’s equipment inventory. Monica will need information on make, model, serial number, and, if applicable, UCID#.

EH&S recycles reusable materials and disposes of hazardous components appropriately. Contact Rachel Meidl (EH&S Environmental Management Facility) at (858) 534-0058 or rmeidl@ucsd.edu, if you have questions about your e-waste.