This answer actually varies state-to-state, but in this article I will be focusing on federal regulations.
If you find yourself with a bio-bag full of solid infectious waste, and don’t know what to do with it, you’ve come to the right place.
After tying your bag closed you have to check for a few things first. One, if there is a danger of your biohazard bag leaking, you should place it inside another bag to collect the leakage. Two, once you are ready to ship the waste away, you must place it in another leak proof container. In some states this is a specially made cardboard box, in other states it’s a plastic container.
Generally, your medical waste disposal vendor will provide you with the container you need to place your bag in. In that case, simply place your bag in the box and wait for or schedule your next pickup.
All [biohazard waste](/biohazard-waste-disposal/) MUST be placed in a bag and a secondary leak proof container as medical waste transporters cannot pick up just the bag for safety reasons.
Once your waste is picked up it is transported to a sterilization facility where it is either autoclaved, incinerated, or chemically treated.
After sterilization the waste is sorted for recycling, with the non-recyclable waste going to a sanitary landfill, and the recyclable waste going to a special facility where it is melted down and re-used.
Common Questions
- What is considered biohazard waste?
- Biohazard waste is any waste contaminated with blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials that could transmit disease. OSHA's definition covers liquid or semi-liquid blood; items that would release blood if compressed or are caked with dried blood that could flake off; contaminated sharps; and pathological and microbiological wastes. Common examples include saturated gauze, contaminated PPE, suction canisters, cultures, needles, and surgical tissue.
- What's the difference between biohazard waste and medical waste?
- Biohazard waste is a subset of medical waste. Medical waste is the broad category that can include pharmaceuticals and chemicals; biohazard waste specifically refers to material that contains or may contain infectious agents. For the broader category, see our medical waste disposal guide.
- What color are biohazard bags and labels?
- OSHA requires biohazard labels to be fluorescent orange or orange-red, with the biohazard symbol and the word “BIOHAZARD” in a contrasting color. Red bags or red containers may be used instead of labels, which is why biohazard waste is often called “red bag” waste.
- What should I do if a biohazard bag leaks or spills?
- Put on appropriate PPE, contain the spill, and place the leaking bag or container inside a second container that is closable, leak-resistant, and labeled. Decontaminate the area with an appropriate disinfectant, and pick up any broken glass with mechanical means — a brush and dustpan, tongs, or forceps — never by hand.
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