A Regulated Medical Waste disposal company must be licensed to transport biomedical waste in California.
Different agencies oversee the regulation of medical waste and hazardous waste, so it’s critical that your business work with a transporter that has a specialized permit to transport and dispose of regulated medical waste.
Your medical facility or laboratory likely generates several different waste streams, each with its own set of laws that must be followed when that waste is transported and disposed of at a Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF). Just because you are working with a licensed hazardous waste transporter does not mean that the disposal company can legally transport your biomedical waste along with the other types of toxic substances you handle.
So, how do you know which type of transporter can safely and legally handle your biomedical waste? Let’s take a closer look at this type of waste and who you should trust to dispose of it.
Biomedical waste refers to any kind of waste containing infectious materials or potentially infectious substances, such as blood. This
Biomedical waste poses serious health and environmental risks if not managed properly. Proper disposal methods are crucial to prevent the spread of infections and protect public health.
A waste transporter can pick up and dispose of the biomedical waste your facility generates.
However, not any transporter will do. Biomedical waste is a highly regulated type of waste in California. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regulates medical waste transporters.
While biomedical waste is often considered hazardous, a hazardous waste transporter CANNOT transport your biomedical waste unless it is specifically licensed through the CDPH to do so. Even if the hazardous waste transport is licensed through the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), it must also be licensed through the CDPH to transport your biomedical waste legally.
While some transporters are only permitted to handle either healthcare waste or hazardous waste, some are licensed by both agencies and can transport both types of waste. Because medical facilities often have multiple waste streams, many of which are hazardous, it can be beneficial to look for a transporter that can meet the requirements of all of your waste streams so you don’t have to hire multiple disposal companies.
Biomedical waste transporters are trained in handling hazardous medical waste. When looking for a disposal company to partner with,
In addition to this requirement, look for a biomedical waste disposal company that:
As you’re searching for biomedical waste transporters, avoid using brokers. Hazardous waste and medical waste brokers act as middlemen, connecting you with a transporter. While this may sound like a convenient solution, there are several problems with this service.
You’ll end up paying more in the long run for services because brokers mark up the prices they receive from transporters before presenting them to you for consideration. That’s how broker companies make their money.
You’ll also be at the mercy of the broker to verify that the transport company is licensed and certified to handle your waste. When you lose that control, you risk violating cradle-to-grave policies.
Cradle-to-grave requirements in California state that you are responsible for your waste from the moment it is generated to the moment it is disposed of. Selecting the right transporter for your biomedical waste is important because you don’t want to lose control over who handles your waste. If it is handled improperly, your medical facility could ultimately be to blame.
Proper disposal of biomedical waste is crucial to safeguard public health and the environment. When selecting a waste disposal company for your medical facility or laboratory in California, it's important to ensure they are licensed specifically to handle biomedical waste by the California Department of Public Health.
Look for a company that provides specialized services tailored specifically to biomedical waste. Also, look for one that stays on top of evolving regulations, offers excellent customer service, and can transport your waste to the appropriate facility.
Avoid using brokers since they may inflate costs and compromise your control over waste management. By partnering with a reputable and licensed waste transporter, you can fulfill your responsibility for cradle-to-grave waste management and mitigate potential risks associated with improper disposal.