A trash receptacle comprising an entrance in a wall adapted to receive a disposable, lightweight, and preferably plastic cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge is adapted to dispose its center of gravity in a manner that maintains the cartridge within the wall entrance under its own empty weight. The cartridge may further receive a disposable bag to maintain sterility. The bag can be held in place by a sealing device, such as an O-ring, which, in one embodiment, snaps over said bag onto said cartridge, said O-ring or other sealing device preferably color-coded to indicate the type of waste to be disposed in said cartridge. The cartridge is also adapted to receive a plug to allow disposal of sharps. If a bag breaks, the cartridge may be sealed and disposed of, thereby maintaining a sanitary and sterile environment. The receptacles may be arrayed in a wall, thereby providing a convenient waste disposal system that does not interfere with critical working space.
