An Overview of Regulated Medical Waste Disposal Methods

In a previous blog entry, we provided comprehensive information about proper hazardous waste treatment for regulated medical waste (RMW), also known as “biomedical waste” and/or “infectious medical waste.” This entry zeros in on regulated medical waste disposal methods and best practices. Q&A’s include:

1. What is the public perception of regulated medical waste (RMW)?
2. What was The Syringe Tide?
3. What was the reaction to The Syringe Tide?
4. What laws & regulations have replaced the 1988 Federal Medical Waste Tracking Act?
5. What are the best practices for handling regulated medical waste (RMW)?
6. What trash requires regulated medical waste (RMW) disposal?
7. What’s the difference between “regulated medical waste” and “biohazardous waste?”
8. What is the color code for regulated medical waste (RMW)?
9. Where can you get comprehensive help & advice about managing RMW?

1. What is the public perception of regulated medical waste (RMW)?

It might surprise you, but public concern about where & how we toss medical waste is a relatively new phenomenon. Back in the 1980s, there was a series of incidents wherein medical waste was washing up on East Coast bathing spots, which was doing absolutely nothing to help the local economies, particularly the tourist industry. (See Q.2)

2. What was The Syringe Tide?

No, it wasn’t the latest EMO band. More notoriously, it was the 1987-88 environmental disaster wherein a scourge of hypodermic needles and other medical detritus washed up onto New York City, Jersey Shore, and Long Island beaches.

3. What was the reaction to The Syringe Tide?

Predictably and appropriately, The Syringe Tide induced calls for increased regulation, bringing us the 1988 Federal Medical Waste Tracking Act, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, which imposed strict rules regarding medical waste disposal methods.

(N.B. This Reagan connection can provoke extreme cognitive dissonance among the nation’s most vituperative tree-huggers. Mention that the EPA itself was signed into law by President Richard Nixon and their heads might explode. Exercise caution.)

That 1988 Federal Medical Waste Tracking Act expired in 1991. In the ensuing 19 years, each state has evolved its own regulations, as have a gaggle of federal authorities. (See Q.4)

4. What laws & regulations have replaced the 1988 Federal Medical Waste Tracking Act?

Laws & regulations concerning the disposal of RMW emanate from the EPA, OSHA, and—particularly—from the US state wherein you’re conducting operations (so to speak). More precisely:

• State laws & regulations. Many states have implemented specific medical waste management acts that dictate how medical waste should be tracked, stored, treated, and disposed of. These laws & regulations tend to be more stringent than their federal counterparts. And we know that you’ll be shocked…shocked… but (per Google), California has the strictest rules, with New York and Massachusetts following close behind.
• EPA. The RCRA is the primary law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste, including medical waste. Under RCRA, medical waste that meets certain criteria is considered hazardous waste and must be managed accordingly, including specific rules for treatment, storage, and disposal.
• OSHA. The agency’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard addresses the safe handling, disposal, and containment of medical waste that poses a risk of bloodborne pathogens (e.g., needles, syringes, and other contaminated items).
• DEA. The Drug Enforcement Administration regulates the handling and disposal of certain controlled substances, including their disposal as hazardous medical waste, to prevent diversion, misuse, and environmental contamination. (See source.)

5. What are the best practices for handling regulated medical waste (RMW)?

• Identify biohazardous wastes and separate each into appropriate containers for sharps, pharmaceutical, chemical, pathological, and non-hazardous categories.
• Avoid mixing hazardous and non-hazardous wastes so as to prevent overspending on medical waste disposal.
• Use approved containers for a particular category of waste. E.g., special tubs, puncture-proof containers, and/or certified cardboard boxes as appropriate.
• Use the medical waste disposal color code.
• Store containers in a secure dry area for scheduled pickup and/or shipping.
• Label and package containers per DOT regulations; be mindful of weight restrictions.
• Include correct documentation per state & local agencies, DOT, EPA, and OSHA.

6. What trash requires regulated medical waste (RMW) disposal?

Your garbage requires medical waste disposal methods if it includes:

• Anything that’s been soaked in blood (gloves, gauze, gowns, etc.)
• Cultures of infectious diseases and/or agents
• Discarded vaccines, antibiotics, pills, and other pharmaceuticals
• Human or animal tissues
• Waste from the rooms of patients who have communicable diseases
• Disinfectants and solvents used for laboratory purposes
• Batteries and heavy metals from decommissioned medical equipment
• Anything carcinogenic, teratogenic, or mutagenic

7. What’s the difference between “regulated medical waste” and “biohazardous waste?”

Fundamentally, there is no difference, which can be a source of confusion. To wit, RMW has several aliases, but it’s basically all the same stuff and requires the same kinds of regulated medical waste disposal methods. Among the more ubiquitous labels you’ll see are:

• Biohazardous waste
• Biomedical waste
• Clinical waste
• Healthcare waste
• Infectious medical waste
• Medical waste

Non-contaminated equipment and animal tissue are called “general medical waste.” Office paper, sweepings, and kitchen waste from healthcare facilities are still technically medical waste, though they’re neither regulated nor considered hazardous.

8. What is the color code for regulated medical waste (RMW)?

• Red bags are for syringes sans needles, soiled gloves, catheters, IV tubes, etc.
• Yellow bags are for dressings, bandages, swabs with body fluids, blood bags, human anatomical waste, and everyone’s worst nightmare: body parts.
• Blue-marked cardboard boxes are for glass vials, ampules, and similar glassware.
• White translucent puncture-proof containers are for needles, blades, and other sharps.
• Black bags are for “nonbiological” medical waste such as hospital stationery; leftover foods, peels, rinds, and other kitchen waste; medicine packaging; as well as disposable masks, caps, cups, shoe-covers, and cartons. Also, sweeping dust.

9. Where can you get comprehensive help & advice about managing RMW?

Because of its danger to public health, medical waste management will earn you the scrutiny of multiple regulating bodies: the DOT, EPA, OSHA—even the DEA—as well as state and local bureaucracies.

Also, thanks to the covid epidemic of yore, the disease-containing strategies nowadays imposed on hospitals and clinics have created unprecedented situations. Wastes previously thought benign and/or nonhazardous might nowadays require medical waste disposal methods.

Hazardous Waste Experts is dedicated to simplifying medical waste disposal. We tailor waste pickups to match your volume needs, thereby minimizing costs. Additionally, our customer support and compliance experts stand ready to provide guidance on waste categorization, handling, and storage.

Don’t go it alone!

Get expert advice here for regulated medical waste disposal methods. Or call us at our new number: 425.414.3485.

And thank you for reading our blog!