How Dermatology Clinics Dispose of Medical Wastes
Medical waste in a dermatology clinic follows a regulated path. Here is the journey, from the treatment room to where the waste ends up.
Get a Free QuoteDermatology in the U.S., 2020
5,360
dermatology clinics in the U.S.
$7.5 billion
in revenue across those clinics
0.9%
market growth in 2020
1.9%
average yearly growth, 2015 to 2020
Source: IBISWorld, 2020 figures.
Ten steps from the clinic to final disposal
- 1
Classify the waste
The clinic sorts waste by type, following state and federal rules:
- Infectious (biohazardous) waste
- Sharps
- Pharmaceutical waste
- Pathological waste
- General, non-regulated waste
- 2
Handle dermatology tools as sharps
Scalpels, blackhead extractors, dermal curettes and biopsy punches can carry blood and other infectious material. Disposable ones go straight into a sharps container after use.
- 3
Clean the treatment areas
Surfaces, specialized areas, wet areas, walls and fittings, cleaning equipment, and any spill of blood or laboratory cultures all need a set cleaning procedure. Good practice:
- Write the cleaning protocol down and share it with all staff
- Use standard precautions when cleaning surfaces and equipment
- Avoid methods that create aerosols, including sprays
- Change cleaning items after each use, and right after cleaning up blood or body fluids
- Prefer single-use, lint-free cloths
- Never mix detergents with other chemicals, and prepare cleaning solutions fresh
- 4
Use the right container for each waste stream
Once waste is identified, it goes into the container its rules require. Commonly:
- Sharps containers (usually red)
- Biohazard containers and red bags for infectious waste
- Yellow containers for trace chemotherapy waste
- Black containers for RCRA hazardous waste
- Blue containers for non-hazardous pharmaceuticals
- 5
Store full containers securely
Full containers are closed and kept in a designated, secured storage area, away from patients, until pickup.
- 6
Pickup by a licensed hauler
A licensed medical waste company collects the containers. The clinic signs the tracking document, usually a manifest, and keeps a copy for its records and future inspections.
- 7
Follow your state's tracking rules
How medical waste is tracked from pickup to disposal varies from state to state.
- 8
Transport to the treatment facility
At the treatment facility, the waste is checked against its labels and sorted by type. Some types are treated first.
- 9
Treat the waste
The facility uses a regulated treatment method, depending on the waste and what the state allows:
- Autoclave (steam)
- Incineration
- Chemical treatment
- Irradiation
- Biological treatment
- 10
Final disposal
Treated waste is no longer infectious. It can then be landfilled, recycled or used to generate energy. The treatment facility completes the manifest, and the clinic keeps the record that its waste was disposed of properly.
Common questions from dermatology clinics
Do dermatology clinics need a medical waste disposal company?
Yes, if they generate regulated medical waste such as used sharps, biopsy tools or items soaked with blood. That waste has to be picked up by a licensed hauler and treated before disposal; it cannot go in the regular trash.
Where do used scalpels and biopsy punches go?
Straight into a closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof and labeled sharps container at the point of use. The full container is then handled as regulated medical waste.
How long should a clinic keep its medical waste manifests?
It depends on the state; many require three years. Keep the copy you sign at pickup and the completed copy that comes back after treatment.
Sources
- Dermatologists in the US: number of businesses — IBISWorld
- Medical waste — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Bloodborne pathogens standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 — Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Last reviewed October 30, 2026. Medical waste rules are set by each state and change over time; check with your state agency for the rules that apply to your clinic.
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