Broken laboratory glassware should be disposed directly in trash cans or garbage bins.

• A. In regular trash
• B. In dedicated broken glass containers
• C. In chemical waste drums
• D. In recycling bin

Answer: (B)

Handling broken lab glass focuses on containing sharp edges and any residues safely. Glass shards can easily cut hands or puncture bags, gloves, or skin during cleanup and transport, so they must be kept in a container that is sturdy, puncture-resistant, closable, and clearly labeled. Dedicated broken glass containers are designed for this purpose, keeping all fragments together until they’re collected and processed through the proper waste stream. Putting broken glass in regular trash increases the risk to sanitation workers and does not guarantee safe handling or proper separation. Chemical waste drums are meant for chemical waste; unless the glass is contaminated with chemical residues, they’re not the standard disposal route, and even then you’d follow your site’s hazmat procedures. Recycling bins aren’t appropriate because broken, potentially contaminated glass can’t be safely recycled with other recyclables. So, using dedicated broken glass containers is the safest and most appropriate option.