Medical waste disposal is a heavily regulated industry to ensure the safety of the population and the environment. Because of regulations, the term regulated medical waste has been coined. But what exactly does it mean and what are some examples of it?
In This Article
The Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988
In 1988, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed the Medical Waste Tracking Act. This act clarified the following items
- What is medical waste
- Which medical wastes would be subject to regulations
- A "cradle-to-grave" tracking system
- Waste separation and management standards
- Record-keeping requirements
This act laid the foundation for the regulations of medical waste. After expiring in 1991, the responsibility to regulate medical waste fell on each
individual state
. Regulations vary from state to state.
What is Medical Waste?
The
EPA defines
regulated medical waste as "healthcare waste that may be contaminated by blood, body fluids or other potentially infectious materials." Essentially, regulated medical waste is the same as medical waste, except the term outright states it's regulated.
Examples of Regulated Medical Waste
Each individual state is responsible for deciding which medical wastes to regulate. Examples of regulated medical waste include:
- Biohazard waste
- Chemotherapy waste
- Sharps waste
- Pharmaceutical waste
Containing infections and keeping our environment clean are key to a healthy world. The medical waste we produce does need to be handled and treated, but our regulations ensure they are treated properly. That way, we know we are doing all we can to stay in good health.
Common Questions
- What counts as medical waste?
- Medical waste is any waste generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of humans or animals that may be contaminated with blood, body fluids, or other infectious material — including sharps, blood-soaked dressings, cultures, and pathological tissue. Non-contaminated items like standard packaging are not regulated medical waste.
- How much does medical waste disposal cost?
- Cost depends on waste volume, pickup frequency, container size, waste type, and location. Most practices pay a flat monthly or per-pickup rate rather than being billed per pound. Typical monthly costs range from about $50-$200 for small practices and dental offices up to $1,000+ for long-term care facilities, with hospitals and large health systems running $1,000-$50,000+ per month — see our full pricing breakdown by facility type. MedPro customers also save an average of 30% by switching from their previous provider.
- Is medical waste disposal legally required?
- Yes. Any facility generating regulated medical waste must comply with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, applicable EPA/DOT rules, and their state's specific medical waste regulations, which vary by state.
- What's the difference between medical waste and biohazard waste?
- Biohazard waste is a subset of medical waste. Medical waste is the broad category (including sharps and pharmaceuticals); biohazard waste specifically refers to material containing or potentially containing infectious agents.
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