Regulated Medical Waste Disposal

For Medical Waste disposal, call 443-9132
or
fill out the on-line Medical Waste Pick-up Request Form.

Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) is a waste stream that includes infectious and non-infectious waste materials generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals; in research pertaining thereto; or in the production of biologicals. RMW includes the following categories:

• Cultures and stocks of infectious agents, and any materials contaminated with a potentially infectious agent, including culture dishes and devices used to transfer, inoculate and mix cultures.
• Any human pathological wastes.
• Any animal specimens, carcasses or tissues, also any biological material contaminated with an infectious agent. Note: OLAR disposes of vertebrate carcasses through the EHO.
• Waste human blood or blood products generated in medical or research procedures, and other potentially infectious materials, items contaminated with these materials, and any containers that held these potentially infectious materials. Note: Liquid blood or other body fluids may be legally disposed of via sanitary sewer in many cases, consult the Biosafety Officer with questions.
• Wastes from medical or research procedures that were in contact with infectious agents, including slides and cover slips, disposable gloves, protective equipment, etc.
• SHARPS: USED OR NEW HYPODERMIC NEEDLES AND SYRINGES (with or without needle attached), scalpels and razor blades. Also, Pasteur pipettes, broken glassware, etc., when contaminated with an infectious agent. Use red sharps containers for disposal of all sharps (as defined herein). Use broken glassware disposal container for all other broken or sharp items that could injure those handling the trash.
• MIXED WASTE: Biological specimens or material treated with or preserved in chemicals including alcohol or formaldehyde are considered mixed waste (RMW and hazardous chemical waste). Liquids must be poured off and disposed of properly. Consult EHO on mixed waste disposal procedures.
• Any biological waste with the appearance of having human origin and wastes that would pose a sanitary concern at the county landfill should be disposed of as medical waste.

Sharps containers are available from Materials Distribution:

1. Large containers: CS11-0022
   
2. Smaller containers: CS11-0044

Other RMW solids must be placed in secure, leak-proof packaging and stored in such a manner that will prevent decomposition or deterioration during storage. The EHO provides collection boxes for solids upon request. It is the responsibility of each generator to set up a workable system prior to generating RMW. Principal investigators, area supervisors or other employees generating Regulated Medical Waste materials are responsible for compliance with applicable regulations and disposal program requirements. Consult the Biosafety Officer for more information.

A MEDICAL WASTE PICKUP IS SCHEDULED BY CALLING THE EHO, X-4132 or by filling out the electronic Medical Waste Pick-up Request Form.

All RMW will then be packaged and sent by EHO staff, via a licensed RMW firm, for incineration at a permitted RMW disposal facility. Note: RMW Disposal at the Health Center is specific to that facility and varies from this procedure.

Last modified on June 16, 2005

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