Medical waste is broad term that can be fitted to towards a wide range of waste. There are set rules and regulations what can and not go into a medical waste bag. These rules are in place to make disposal of infectious waste safe for both healthcare workers and the environment.
Some types of waste that shouldn’t be accumulated in a medical waste bag include:
- Sharps:Any item that is that could potentially puncture skin, should be exempt from throwing into medical trash bags. Sharps should be disposed in a puncture-proof container and leak resistant. Also, to acknowledge that a container is filled with sharps, the correct type of labeling should be on the container.
- Trace-Chemo:this type of waste is defined as waste with containing more than 3% of the original contents by weight. Trace chemo is vials or other containers that were used in the treatment of chemotherapy.
- Prescription Drugs:all unused or expired medications should be disposed of in a pharmaceutical container.
The following can be collected in a clear trash bag:
- Food products: soda cans, paper cups
- Unused medical products: gloves, bandages, linear
- Empty IV bags (without needles):only when there are a
- Empty urine and stool containers:stool and urine should be poured down the toilet before placing in a normal trash bag
- Diapers:unless grossly soiled with blood or other potentially infectious materials
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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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