Agar Disposal Protocol

Materials and Equipment Needed

1. Coffee cans
2. Agar to be disposed of
3. Gloves (if the agar is still hot)

Safety Issues

If agar is still hot, wear autoclave gloves.  Hot agar can splash on skin and cause burns.

This method of disposal is for non-biohazard agar only.  Agar that may pose a biohazard threat may NOT be disposed of in this way.  All biohazards must be autoclaved in special designated biohazard bags.

Time Required

1-2 minutes to prepare agar
30 minutes to 1 hour for the agar to harden

Procedure

Step	Image
Pour agar mixture into coffee cans, which are found under the sink in the autoclave room (1122 PSL).
Return the cans under the sink while the agar is hardening.  The agar will take 30 minutes to an hour to harden, depending on how much you have in each can.
When the agar has hardened, use a tool (such as a spatula) to loosen the agar and dump it in a garbage can.  Be sure to dispose of agar in a timely manner so others do not have to clean your mess for you.