Disposing Medical Waste: 4 Things You Should Know

Navigating the ins and outs of medical waste disposal can be complex, especially for organizations that generate multiple waste streams and businesses outside the traditional healthcare sector. 

 

Let’s explore four essential aspects of disposing medical waste that every organization should know to ensure compliance, safety and environmental responsibility. From understanding the types of waste you generate to selecting the right waste transporter, here are four things you should know before you initiate the disposal process.

 

1. You don’t have to be a healthcare facility to generate medical waste.
2. Medical waste must be separated.
3. Only certain transporters can handle medical waste.
4. Proper documentation and record keeping is key.

 

 

You Don’t Have To Be A Healthcare Facility To Generate Medical Waste

 

 

That may sound surprising, but there are plenty of facilities that generate medical waste and they aren’t your standard hospitals, doctor’s offices, surgery centers, dental offices or even veterinary clinics. If your business is on the list below, it’s important to familiarize yourself with medical waste laws and ensure you are disposing of your waste properly. 

 

Here are a few examples of facilities that generate medical waste and the types of waste they produce:

• Tattoo Parlors and Piercing Studios: Needles, ink cups, gloves and other items contaminated with blood or bodily fluids
• Pharmacies: Expired or unused medications, contaminated packaging and sharps from immunizations
• Research Laboratories: Sharps, cultures, stocks of infectious agents, chemicals, and animal tissues.
• Home Healthcare: Needles and other sharps pieces like syringes, bandages, gloves and medications.
• Cosmetic and Beauty Clinics: Sharps (from injectables), contaminated gloves, wipes and small amounts of chemicals.
• Schools and Universities: Needles (from health services or research labs), biological samples and chemical waste from labs.
• Correctional Facilities: Sharps, contaminated medical supplies and medications from healthcare services provided to inmates.

 

Although many of these businesses or organizations aren’t typical healthcare facilities, they still need to adhere to medical waste management regulations to ensure safety and compliance. One of these medical waste regulations involves proper segregation of waste so that the risk of contamination is minimized and each type of waste is managed according to its specific hazards.

 

 

Medical Waste Must Be Separated

 

 

When you segregate medical waste, you help to ensure that each type of waste is managed in a way that minimizes health risks and environmental impact. Different types of medical waste require specialized containers and packaging materials designed for safe containment and disposal.

 

Here are some examples of specialized containers and bags used to separate medical waste:

 

• Sharps Containers: These are rigid, puncture-resistant containers used for disposing of needles, scalpels and other sharp objects. They are typically red or yellow and labeled with a biohazard symbol. These containers are essential for preventing injuries and the spread of infections.

• Biohazard Bags: These plastic bags are used for non-sharp infectious waste, such as contaminated gloves, gowns and bandages. They are tear-resistant, leak-proof and labeled with a biohazard symbol. They come in various colors, with red or orange being common for infectious waste.
• Rigid Containers: Sturdy, leak-proof containers are used for bulkier infectious waste or pathological waste like human tissues and organs. These containers are made from materials like plastic or metal and are labeled with a biohazard symbol to indicate their contents.
• Chemotherapy Waste Containers: These containers are used for the disposal of chemotherapy and cytotoxic drug waste. They are usually yellow, puncture-resistant and clearly labeled to indicate their hazardous contents.
• Pharmaceutical Waste Containers: Designed for the disposal of expired, unused or contaminated pharmaceuticals, these containers are clearly labeled and often have tamper-proof seals to ensure safe handling and disposal.
• Chemical Waste Containers: Used for disposing of hazardous chemical waste, these containers are corrosion-resistant and leak-proof. They are labeled with appropriate chemical hazard symbols to indicate their contents.
• Radioactive Waste Containers: These are shielded containers designed for the safe disposal of radioactive materials, often used in radiotherapy and certain diagnostic procedures. They are lead-lined and clearly labeled with the radioactive symbol.

 

One crucial aspect to understand is that as you separate your medical waste, not every waste transporter is authorized to handle it. Specific regulations dictate who can transport medical waste, and even within medical waste categories, additional rules determine who is qualified to manage different types of waste.

 

Only Certain Transporters Can Handle Medical Waste

 

 

Once your medical waste is separated and ready to go to the appropriate treatment, storage and disposal facility (TSDF), a transporter will pick it up. However, only certain types of waste transporters are legally allowed to handle the medical waste your facility generates.

 

For example, if you generate biomedical waste, the transporter must be licensed to transport biomedical waste through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Biomedical waste is any kind of waste containing infectious materials or potentially infectious substances, such as blood. This type of medical waste can also include items contaminated with body fluids like needles, syringes and other sharp objects, as well as pathological waste like fluids removed during surgery, an autopsy or other medical procedures. 

 

Biomedical waste is generally considered hazardous. You may even currently work with a hazardous waste disposal company licensed through the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to transport your hazardous waste. Yet a hazardous waste transporter cannot transport biomedical waste unless it is specifically licensed through the CDPH. 

 

Here are a few examples of common types of medical waste and what type of transporter is allowed to move that waste to the appropriate disposal or recycling facility:

 

• Infectious waste: Regulated Medical Waste Transporter
• Pharmaceutical waste: Regulated Medical Waste Transporter or Hazardous Waste Transporter, depending on the type of pharmaceutical waste that requires disposal
• Radioactive waste: Specialized Hazardous Waste Transporter
• Chemical waste: Hazardous Waste Transporter
• Sharps waste: Regulated Medical Waste Transporter
• Pathological waste: Regulated Medical Waste Transporter
• Pharmaceutical trace waste: Regulated Medical Waste Transporter, and/or Hazardous Waste Transporter depending on the type of pharmaceuticals
• Solid waste: Depends on the type of solid waste that requires disposal
• Electronic waste: Universal Waste Transporter

 

As you can see, knowing which transporter can handle the type of medical waste your facility generates can be confusing. Because you likely generate multiple waste streams that fall into the different categories above, it can be beneficial to look for a transporter that can meet the requirements of all of your waste so you don’t have to hire multiple disposal companies.

 

Yet while you may be taking the necessary steps to properly dispose of your medical waste, it's equally important to have the records to back it up.

 

Proper Documentation And Record Keeping Is Key

 

 

Proper documentation and record-keeping are crucial components of medical waste disposal management. Accurate records ensure compliance with regulations, facilitate auditing and help maintain accountability throughout the waste management process. 

 

Your documentation process should be thorough and consistent, and include detailed logs of waste types, quantities, dates of collection and disposal, transporters' credentials, and disposal methods used.

 

Here’s why this is important:

 

• Regulatory Compliance: Both federal and state regulations require detailed records of medical waste generation, handling, transportation and disposal. These records help ensure that all legal requirements are met and that waste is managed responsibly.
• Tracking and Accountability: Maintaining detailed records allows for tracking the journey of medical waste from the point of generation to its final disposal. This helps in identifying any lapses in the handling process and ensures accountability at every step.
• Safety and Risk Management: Proper documentation helps in identifying the types and quantities of waste generated, which is essential for assessing potential risks and ensuring that appropriate safety measures are in place. It also aids in responding effectively to any incidents or emergencies.
• Verification of Transporters: As previously mentioned, not all waste transporters are authorized to handle medical waste. Documenting the credentials and permits of your waste transporters ensures that you are compliant with regulations and that your waste is being handled by qualified professionals.
• Auditing and Reporting: Detailed records facilitate internal and external audits, helping organizations demonstrate compliance with waste management standards. This is particularly important during inspections by regulatory bodies.
• Continuous Improvement: Keeping thorough records allows facilities to analyze waste generation patterns and identify opportunities for reducing waste and improving waste management practices. This can lead to cost savings and more sustainable operations.

 

Choosing the right regulated medical waste transporter can also help with ensuring your documentation is compliant, especially when it comes to records required during the transportation of waste. 

 

A reliable waste transporter will provide detailed manifests that outline the types and quantities of waste being transported, pickup and disposal dates, as well as any special handling instructions.

 

Working closely with a reputable waste transporter can simplify the documentation process and provide peace of mind knowing that your medical waste is being handled and documented properly every step of the way.