Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My project involves growing bacteria on agar plates. After I've completed my experiment, how should I dispose of the bacteria I've used safely?

Hi paulcat,

You need to autoclave your plates, and then it is safe to dispose them in a trash can. If you don't have an autoclave where you are conducting your experiment, a pressure cooker would work.

Sincerely,
Sareena

You can also put EVERYTHING that ever gets near or in contact with the bacteria (gloves, pipettes, spreaders, test tubes, etc.) into ziploc bags. Fill the bags with chlorine bleach (e.g. Clorox) until all the things are covered, close the bag, and let sit for two weeks. You can then throw everything away.

If you have access to an autoclave, then use it (if you don't know how to use it, make sure that someone who does know how to use it supervises you). However, if you don't have access to an autoclave, you can use the bleach method.