What is a safe way to dispose of E. Coli?
816577
I generally follow the recommendations provided by our safety officer at my academic lab.\n\nIf your liquid cultures can afford the extra volume, you can just add a lot of deionized h2o, that should stop the growing (by lysing the cells).  Then toss in the bio-hazard bag, for the autoclave.  \n\nOr, if you have access to an autoclave, then autoclave the culture, and you can probably dump down the drain.\n\nCheck with your safety officer!!\n\nIt was fun thinking about your question.  Pass on the good Karma!
463831
Put some toilet paper on top of it, not a lot, and flush. It will be gone before you know it.\nEither that or leave it there until it grows legs and walks out on its own.
444274
you can use white vinegar or wet baking soda.\n\njust put enough vinegar or wet baking soda on the soiled area and let stand for a couple of seconds. it works for me.
891134
I really doubt that they would take it back because there is a risk of contamination.  Take it to a pharmacy for disposal.
594614
If the flag is an United States of America, the proper disposal is to burn the flag.  If you are an American and feel uneasy about doing that, call a local Vet's organization, they may do it for you. (I remember seeing something on the news that they do this).  If it is another nation's flag, I would would also burn it. It sounds strange, but it is the most repsectful.
790906
I suggest hydrogen peroxide 'bleach' because it is much less toxic than regular bleach, but it still destroys many pathogens.\n \n Also, 70% Isopropyl alcohol is a good disinfectant.
303081
Purify it. And then have it in a closed system where nothing can get to it
599698
Try using a pro-biotic product. The bacteria in the product digests waste. They use this in commercial ponds for cleaning before restocking, and also in oil spills, because it can digest petrol. Ask your local house and garden supplies shop, or if you live near farms ask them.
1125581
Keep it covered with an antibiotic. It should be okay after that.
881751
The easiest way to do it is to clean it as best as possible. Boil it. Clean it again. Then hang it somewhere outside for a long time. O.k. maybe it is not the easiest but it works. If you live in a condo or apartment this will be frowned upon
310893
The best thing would be a bit of bleach.  Do the math - you should shoot for about 2 to 4 parts per million hypochlorite (since commercial preparations are usually 5% - which is 50,000 parts per million - YOU NEED TO DILUTE IT 25,000 FOLD BEFORE YOU DRINK IT - SEE MY NOTE AT THE BOTTOM).  You should also try to store the water in the dark, in an opaque container, or at least in a brown or green glas container since algae growth is photosynthetically driven (i.e. needs light)\n\nBE CAREFUL HANDLING BLEACH - AT HIGH CONCENTRATIONS IT IS TOXIC AND CORROSIVE.
663186
Paint stores dispose of paint by pouring it out in thin layers and letting it dry. Once it's dry, it's environmentally benign and can be thrown away.
802577
use any disinfectant with a high commercial grade. but use a mask and hand gloves when handling these things. if you have kids send them to your moms house or sisters. and leave it to air dry.
1086610
You'll probably be fine, but keep a trash can around just in case. :-D
918069
Go to http://www.dumbasswasteoftime.com
916415
Firstly, is the culture tube to be a nutrient broth or a nutrient agar?\n\nWhichever it is, both will have to be autoclaved to remove all other organisms. After autoclaving, don't open until you want to insert the sample. Make sure you have a naked flame in front of you. The area just around the flame is your sterile area. \n\nFor a nutrient agar, heat your innoculating loop in the flame until it is red-hot then remove from the flame and flick it to cool it. Test on one side of the agar to make sure it is not too hot. If too hot, the agar will hiss. Collect your sample of E. coli with the innoculating loop and use your other hand to hold the culture tube. Open the culture tube with as few fingers as possible. Streak the E. coli on the nutrient agar making sure to spread it evenly. Always keep the mouth of the tube near the flame. The innoculating loop should also always be near the flame until the process is complete. Close the culture tube and heat the innoculating loop again.\n\nIf it is nutrient broth, then follow the same steps as above except that you insert the innoculating loop into the broth and shake it. Then close as above.\n\n*Remember... when opening the tubes, always keep the mouth of the tube close to the flame and always sterilise the innoculating loops.*\n\nEDIT: Answer to the replied question.\n\nYeah a micropipette would be easier. You'll need to autoclave the micropipette tips before using and like I said, all the procedures have to be carried out right beside the flame. The mouth of the culture tube has to be in or right beside the flame so that no contamination happens.\n\nIn any case, the innoculating loop or the pipette can be used because the nutrient broth is there for the bacteria to develop colonies and grow so the end result will still be the same.
901470
They're not available commercially. You have to purify them in a lab.