Does Medical Waste Require Bio Hazardous Material Disposal?

Yes, medical waste may require specialized bio hazardous material disposal. 

 

Of the total waste healthcare facilities generate, the World Health Organization estimates about 85% of general, non-hazardous waste, with the other 15% considered hazardous material. 

 

Considering that estimates show about 3.5 million tons of medical waste is generated in the United States alone each year, that’s still a lot of waste considered infectious, toxic or radioactive.

 

If your healthcare facility, laboratory or practice generates medical waste, there are strict guidelines and regulations for its proper disposal. Failing to handle medical waste correctly can pose serious health risks and environmental hazards, as well as lead to significant fines and penalties.

 

Yet when it comes to medical waste disposal, choosing a hazardous waste disposal company to dispose of your medical waste simply isn’t enough. That’s because in California, two different agencies regulate medical waste and hazardous waste. And while medical waste can certainly be considered hazardous, it’s critical that you choose a disposal company that is legally allowed to transport medical waste.

 

Let’s take a closer look at the different types of medical waste and how your medical facility can benefit by working with a transport company that can handle BOTH medical waste and hazardous waste. 

 

 

Types Of Waste A Medical Facility Generates

 

 

Healthcare facilities routinely generate several types of waste depending on the services performed.

 

In addition to hazardous substances, the waste you generate can include diverse range of items like administrative paperwork, packaging materials, expired medications and even food waste from cafeterias or patient rooms. 

 

However, which transporter is legally allowed to manage your waste is highly regulated. While a licensed transporter might be able to handle your hazardous waste, it may not be able to transport your regulated medical waste (even if that medical waste is considered bio hazardous.) That’s why properly identifying and managing these different types of waste streams is important for maintaining a clean and safe healthcare environment while ensuring your facility is meeting any regulations for the disposal of that particular waste.

 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the different types of waste your medical facility may generate during its day-to-day operations.

 

Infectious Waste

 

Infectious waste materials may harbor pathogens, like blood-soaked bandages, cultures and stocks of infectious agents. To prevent the spread of diseases within your healthcare facilities and the community, handling this type of waste with a high level of care and precision is needed. 

 

Infectious waste is common across healthcare facilities, including laboratories, hospitals, blood donation centers and medical clinics. 

 

Type of transporter needed: Regulated Medical Waste Transporter

 

Pharmaceutical Waste

 

This category is common across multiple types of healthcare facilities, from pharmacies to hospitals and laboratories. Pharmaceutical waste often includes expired, unused or contaminated medications, as well as packaging materials like blister packs, vials and bottles.

Type of transporter needed: Regulated Medical Waste Transporter or Hazardous Waste Transporter, depending on the type of pharmaceutical waste that requires disposal

 

Radioactive Waste

 

Radiology centers, cancer treatment facilities, hospitals and facilities that offer x-rays generate radioactive waste. This waste can expose handlers to harmful radiation.

 

Type of transporter needed: Specialized Hazardous Waste Transporter

 

Chemical Waste

 

Facilities can generate chemical waste during lab activities, cleaning or disinfectant use. Chemical waste may also include solvents, acids or other chemicals used during medical procedures. 

 

Type of transporter needed: Hazardous Waste Transporter

 

Sharps Waste

 

One of the most recognizable types of medical waste is the disposal of sharps or needles. Sharps waste can also include syringes and lancets. Proper disposal helps prevent injuries as well as the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Sharps waste is generated in any type of medical facility that draws blood, as well as surgical centers, dental offices, veterinary clinics and home healthcare settings.

 

Type of transporter needed: Regulated Medical Waste Transporter

 

Pathological Waste

 

Types of pathological waste include human tissues, organs and body parts that are removed during surgeries. Handling this type of waste is not only a safety issue but an ethical issue as well that requires the utmost care.

 

Type of transporter needed: Regulated Medical Waste Transporter

 

Pharmaceutical Trace Waste

 

Pharmaceutical trace waste refers to residual amounts of pharmaceuticals or their metabolites that remain in the environment after their intended use. This type of waste can enter the environment through various pathways, including excretion by humans and animals, improper disposal of unused medications and runoff from pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.

 

Type of transporter needed: Regulated Medical Waste Transporter, and/or Hazardous Waste Transporter depending on the type of pharmaceuticals

 

Solid Waste

 

Solid waste generated by healthcare facilities could include items like empty vials and medical packaging, food and organic waste, office and administrative waste, and other types of general waste. Some of this waste can be potentially hazardous and require environmental protection. 

 

Type of transporter needed: Depends on the type of solid waste that requires disposal

 

Electronic Waste

 

All healthcare facilities can generate electronic waste, also known as e-waste. Types of electronic waste include old medical equipment, electronic devices, televisions and computers, as well as items found in break rooms like microwaves and other kitchen appliances. 

 

Type of transporter needed: Universal Waste Transporter

 

Paper Waste

 

Although paper waste isn’t generally considered hazardous, there is some risk involved with its disposal, especially when that waste is coming from hospitals, doctor’s offices and other medical facilities. 

 

Paper waste generated by healthcare facilities often contains sensitive and confidential information, including patient records, medical histories and personal details. Proper disposal of this paper waste is important to protect patient privacy and comply with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). 

 

For that reason, your healthcare facility must implement secure disposal protocols to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. This may involve shredding documents containing patient data before disposal to ensure that confidential information cannot be reconstructed or accessed improperly. Or it might require the use of a licensed waste transporter that can ensure this type of waste is safely disposed of to protect both your patients and your practice.

 

Type of transporter needed: If confidential information is part of waste, disposal should be done with care and proper protocols

 

 

Sources Of Medical Waste

 

 

While we described some sources for medical waste above, including hospitals, laboratories and medical practices, other types of facilities generate regulated medical waste. These include:

 

• Mortuary and autopsy centers
• Animal research and testing laboratories
• Blood banks and collection services
• Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
• Dental offices and clinics
• University medical labs
• Pharmacies
• Outpatient surgical centers
• Imaging centers
• Ambulance and medical transport companies
• Dialysis centers
• Rehabilitation centers
• Urgent care facilities
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities
• Healthcare supply companies
• High school and college biology labs

 

In smaller settings like mobile medical units or high school labs, it can be challenging to differentiate between various waste streams, but ensuring bio medical waste is safely disposed of remains critically important.

 

 

Medical Waste Vs. Hazardous Waste Transport

 

 

One of the most significant differences between regulated medical waste and hazardous waste is who can transport it to the appropriate disposal facilities. 

 

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regulates medical waste transporters. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) regulates hazardous waste transporters.

 

Regulated medical waste and hazardous waste are regulated by different agencies, and a transporter must have a specialized permit to transport and dispose of regulated medical waste.

 

Some transporters may be allowed to manage both your regulated medical waste and hazardous waste, while others are permitted to only handle one of these wastes. 

 

 

Fallout Of Improper Medical Waste Disposal

 

 

The fallout of improper medical waste disposal can have far-reaching consequences for the public, the environment and your medical organization. 

 

One significant repercussion is the increased risk of infectious disease transmission. When medical waste containing pathogens is not disposed of correctly, it can lead to the spread of infections within healthcare facilities, waste management facilities and the broader community. 

 

Improper disposal of medical waste also contributes to environmental pollution and degradation. Hazardous chemicals and pharmaceuticals present in medical waste can contaminate soil, water bodies and air, endangering ecosystems and wildlife. 

 

Chemical pollutants can bioaccumulate in the food chain, potentially reaching levels harmful to human health through the consumption of contaminated water or food. 

 

The financial burden of dealing with the fallout of improper medical waste disposal can be significant for your practice or healthcare facility. You may face legal liabilities, fines and reputational damage for non-compliance with waste management regulations. 

 

In 2023, the state of California announced a nearly $49 million settlement with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals after allegations that the healthcare provider illegally disposed of medical waste, as well as failed to protect health information at several of its facilities across the state.

 

The fallout of improper medical waste disposal can be tremendous. There is an urgent need to adhere to proper disposal practices, and an experienced hazardous waste disposal company can help ensure your facility is committing to responsible waste practices.

 

How A Regulated Medical Waste Transporter Can Help

 

 

A regulated medical waste transporter plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and compliant disposal of medical waste generated by healthcare facilities. 

 

These professionals are trained and equipped to handle the transportation of hazardous materials, including medical waste. By enlisting the services of a reputable hazardous waste transporter, you can benefit in several ways.

 

First, a regulated medical waste transporter can provide specialized containers and packaging materials designed to contain and transport medical waste safely. This ensures that hazardous materials are properly sealed and secured during transit, minimizing the risk of spills, leaks or contamination.

 

Additionally, medical waste transporters have the expertise to navigate the complex regulatory landscape governing medical waste's transportation and disposal. They stay up-to-date with evolving regulations and requirements, ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulations at every stage of the waste management process.

 

The top medical waste transporters also offer efficient and reliable transportation services, allowing your facility to focus on its core operations without worrying about the logistics of waste disposal. These professionals handle the transportation and delivery of medical waste to designated treatment and disposal facilities, streamlining the waste management process and reducing the burden on facility staff.

 

When searching for the right partner to transport your waste, follow these five tips:

 

1. Get the right transporter for your waste. A transporter must be properly permitted through the CDPH to handle your medical waste. Even if a transporter is licensed through the DTSC for hazardous waste disposal, the company you are considering must also be permitted through the CDPH to legally be allowed to transport medical waste.
2. Evaluate expertise, including experience in transporting hazardous materials and medical waste.
3. Look for clues that a company is at the top of its industry, such as a stellar customer service record and emergency preparedness.
4. Don’t use a broker, which can cost you more and take away your ability to choose which company transports your waste.
5. Request references and check reviews, which speak volumes. Look specifically for reviews from companies that generate the same time of waste as your facility.

 

Because your medical facility likely generates multiple waste streams, working with a disposal company that has the proper permits through the CDPH and DTSC to transport medical waste and hazardous waste can offer you the convenience of a one-stop shop. Otherwise, you may need to work with multiple transporters, which can complicate your waste management processes and be more costly in the end.