Medical Waste Disposal in Alabama
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste, sharps and pharmaceutical waste pickup and disposal for healthcare facilities everywhere in Alabama — from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf Coast — on a schedule built around how much waste you generate.
How is medical waste disposal regulated in Alabama?
Alabama regulates medical waste through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), under the Solid Wastes and Recyclable Materials Management Act and ADEM Admin. Code Division 335-17. Every facility that generates medical waste must register with ADEM, keep a written medical waste management plan, and package and label its waste to state standards. Only an ADEM-permitted transporter may haul it, and untreated medical waste can’t be disposed of anywhere in Alabama — it must be treated first.
- State term
- Medical waste
- Rules
- ADEM Admin. Code 335-17
- Regulated by
- ADEM Land Division
- Generator storage
- 30 days (6 mo. if <220 lb/mo)
Key takeaways
- Alabama regulates medical waste under ADEM Admin. Code Division 335-17, issued under the Solid Wastes and Recyclable Materials Management Act (Code of Ala. §22-27-1 et seq.).
- Every Alabama medical waste generator must register with ADEM on Form 410 within 30 days of starting operation; there is no fee.
- Alabama generators of 220 pounds or more of medical waste a month may accumulate it for up to 30 days, and smaller generators for up to six months.
- Only a transporter holding an ADEM Medical Waste Transporter Permit may haul untreated medical waste in Alabama, and the generator is responsible for checking that permit is current.
- Untreated medical waste may not be disposed of in Alabama; it must be treated and then sent to an approved municipal solid waste landfill.
Alabama Medical Waste Rules
Medical waste is regulated mainly by each state, with a few federal rules on top. In Alabama it’s governed by the Solid Wastes and Recyclable Materials Management Act and ADEM’s Medical Waste Program rules in Division 335-17 of the ADEM Administrative Code. Here’s what they require of a practice, clinic or other healthcare facility.
What Alabama regulates
Medical Waste
A solid waste or combination of solid wastes which, because of its infectious characteristics, may cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness, or pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of or otherwise managed. Waste generated in a single-family home by someone other than a health care professional doesn’t make that person a medical waste generator, and extracted teeth are excluded from pathological and surgical waste.
- Sharps (used or unused, including contaminated glassware and blood vials)
- Blood and body fluids
- Microbiological waste (cultures, stocks, live vaccines)
- Pathological waste
- Surgical waste
- Renal dialysis waste
- Animal waste
Who regulates medical waste in Alabama
Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) — Land Division
Runs Alabama’s Medical Waste Program: registers medical waste generators, issues permits to medical waste transporters and to storage and treatment facilities, and inspects and enforces the Division 335-17 rules.
1400 Coliseum Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36110-2400 (mail: P.O. Box 301463, Montgomery, AL 36130-1463)
Official websiteAlabama Department of Public Health — Bureau of Health Provider Standards
Licenses and certifies hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. ADEM’s rules leave additional solid waste storage and transport regulation with the State Health Department.
Key Alabama requirements
| Topic | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Every medical waste generator — hospitals, clinics, physician and dental offices, labs, veterinary clinics, funeral homes and more — must register with ADEM on Form 410 within 30 days of starting operation. Separate practices in the same building each register. | ADEM Admin. Code r. 335-17-2-.01(1), 335-17-8-.01 |
| Management plan | Keep a written medical waste management plan, available to ADEM on request, covering your waste types, packaging and labeling, any on-site treatment, your transporter (with its ADEM permit number), treatment and disposal facilities, how often waste is removed, and employee training. | ADEM Admin. Code r. 335-17-2-.01(2) |
| Packaging and labeling | The outer packaging must be red or use red lettering, be labeled “Infectious,” “Medical Waste” or “Biohazardous” and/or with the biohazard symbol on two or more sides, and show your name and address and the date the waste was packaged. Containers must be impermeable to moisture, strong enough not to rip or burst, and sealed before shipment. | ADEM Admin. Code r. 335-17-3-.01 |
| Sharps | Place sharps directly into leak-proof, spill-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant containers, sealed so nothing escapes in normal handling, and labeled unless packed inside a labeled rigid shipping container. | ADEM Admin. Code r. 335-17-3-.01(3) |
| Accumulation (storage) | The clock starts once a shipping container is prepared for shipment. Generators of 220 lb or more a month may accumulate for up to 30 calendar days; smaller generators for up to six months. Keep waste non-putrescent, mark the area with a medical waste sign or the biohazard symbol, use smooth, cleanable surfaces, and keep out rodents and pests. | ADEM Admin. Code r. 335-17-2-.01(3)–(4) |
| Transport | Untreated medical waste may be hauled only by a transporter with an ADEM Medical Waste Transporter Permit (valid three years), in enclosed vehicles marked with its ADEM permit number; it must reach treatment within 14 days. Generators of less than 220 lb a month hauling their own waste are exempt. | ADEM Admin. Code r. 335-17-1-.02(24), 335-17-5-.01, 335-17-8-.04(3) |
| Treatment and disposal | Untreated medical waste can’t be disposed of in Alabama. It must be treated at a permitted facility — e.g. steam sterilization at 250°F and 15 psi for 30 minutes, with anatomical waste made unrecognizable — and then go to an approved municipal solid waste landfill with the treater’s written certification. | ADEM Admin. Code r. 335-17-6-.01, 335-17-7-.01, 335-17-7-.02 |
| Records | Alabama has no state manifest system and sets no record-retention period for generators, who must keep their written plan current. Permitted transporters, storage and treatment facilities keep their records for three years. | ADEM Admin. Code r. 335-17-2-.01(2), 335-17-4-.01(12), 335-17-5-.01(16), 335-17-6-.01(7) |
- Code of Ala. 1975, §22-27-1 et seq.
Solid Wastes and Recyclable Materials Management Act
The state law ADEM’s medical waste rules are issued under; violations of the rules are violations of the Act (§§22-27-7, 22-27-11).
- ADEM Admin. Code ch. 335-17-1 and 335-17-2
General Provisions; Medical Waste Generators
Definitions, and what generators must do: register, keep a written plan, and meet the accumulation limits.
- ADEM Admin. Code ch. 335-17-3 to 335-17-5
Collection, Storage and Transportation
Packaging and labeling, permitted storage facilities, and transporter permits and operating rules.
- ADEM Admin. Code ch. 335-17-6 to 335-17-8
Treatment, Disposal, Registration and Permits
Treatment standards, the ban on disposing of untreated waste, and generator registration and permit procedures.
Federal rules that also apply
| Topic | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens | Sharps containers must be closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, labeled or color-coded, and kept upright and within easy reach. Other regulated-waste containers must be closable, leak-proof and labeled with the biohazard symbol (or red). Alabama has no OSHA State Plan, so federal OSHA covers private employers; state and local government workplaces aren’t covered by federal OSHA. | 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii), (g)(1) |
| DOT shipping | Regulated medical waste ships as Division 6.2, UN3291, in rigid packaging that meets UN Packing Group II standards, with puncture-resistant containers for sharps. | 49 CFR 173.134, 173.197 |
Reviewed September 2026. This is a plain-language summary to help you plan, not legal advice — rules change, so confirm details with the agencies above. MedPro handles transport, treatment and manifests for you and can help you understand what applies to your facility.
Alabama medical waste compliance checklist
Use this to check your practice against ADEM’s medical waste rules and the federal OSHA standard. MedPro handles the pickup, transport and treatment — the rest happens in your facility.
Get Compliant Pickup- 1
Your facility is registered with ADEM
ADEM Form 410, filed within 30 days of opening — one time, no fee. Each separate practice in a shared building registers on its own.
- 2
You have a written medical waste management plan
It lists your waste types, packaging procedures, your transporter and its ADEM permit number, treatment facilities, pickup frequency and staff training.
- 3
Containers are red or red-lettered and labeled
Marked “Medical Waste,” “Infectious” or “Biohazardous” and/or the biohazard symbol, on two or more sides, strong enough not to rip or burst.
- 4
Outer packages show who, where and when
Your name and address and the date the waste was packed in its outer container, plus the biohazard symbol and one of the approved words.
- 5
Sharps go straight into rigid, puncture-resistant containers
Leak-proof, spill-proof and sealed, and labeled unless they’re packed inside a labeled rigid shipping container.
- 6
Your accumulation area meets the rules
Marked with a medical waste sign or the biohazard symbol, with smooth, cleanable surfaces, kept free of rodents and pests, and the waste kept from putrefying.
- 7
Waste leaves on time
Within 30 days of a shipping container being prepared if you generate 220 lb or more a month; within six months if you generate less.
- 8
Your transporter holds a current ADEM permit, and staff are trained
Check the permit number (it’s on the truck, too), and give employees with occupational exposure OSHA bloodborne pathogens training.
Alabama Medical Waste Savings
Projected annual savings from quotes we’ve prepared for Alabama practices. Every practice is different — we charge only for the services you need.
See What You Could Save| Practice Type | ZIP Code | Annual SavingsProjected Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatrics | 36201 | $23,100 |
| Family Practice | 35051 | $5,650 |
| Medical Clinic | 35010 | $5,304 |
| Otolaryngology | 35244 | $3,000 |
| General Practice | 36420 | $1,100 |
| MRI Lab | 35209 | $728 |
It’s Easy to Get Started With MedPro Disposal
- 01
Contact Us
Contact MedPro Disposal for a fast, free medical waste removal quote. We’ll get to know you, discuss your needs, and settle on a number.
- 02
Waste Pickup Date
Work with MedPro Disposal to determine your first pickup date. We’ll confirm your office hours and provide convenient options for medical waste and sharps pickup.
- 03
Compliance Survey
After we get to know your requirements, we’ll send you a survey to identify any areas that need to be brought up to OSHA standards. All three steps occur at no additional cost to your practice.
We service all of Alabama
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste pickup and disposal to healthcare facilities in every part of Alabama — wherever your practice is. Local service pages include:
Near the state line? We serve the neighboring states too.
Alabama Medical Waste FAQs
How is medical waste defined in Alabama?
Alabama’s legal term is simply “medical waste”: solid waste that, because of its infectious characteristics, may cause or significantly contribute to serious illness or death, or pose a hazard to health or the environment if mismanaged. ADEM’s rules separately define sharps, blood and body fluids, microbiological, pathological, surgical, renal dialysis and animal waste (ADEM Admin. Code r. 335-17-1-.02).
Do I need to register my practice with ADEM?
Yes. Any facility or person that generates medical waste — including physician and dental offices, clinics, labs, veterinary clinics and funeral homes — must register with ADEM on Form 410 within 30 days of starting operation. It’s a one-time registration with no fee, and each separate practice in a shared building registers on its own (335-17-8-.01).
How long can a medical practice store medical waste in Alabama?
It depends on how much you generate. If you produce 220 pounds or more a month, you can accumulate medical waste for up to 30 calendar days; under 220 pounds a month, up to six months. The clock starts once a shipping container is prepared for shipment, and the waste must be kept from putrefying the whole time (335-17-2-.01(3)–(4)). The 30-day / below-45°F limits you may have seen apply to permitted storage facilities, not practices. MedPro sets your pickup schedule so you stay inside your limit.
Does a medical waste hauler need a permit in Alabama?
Yes. A transporter must hold an ADEM Medical Waste Transporter Permit before hauling untreated medical waste, renewed every three years, and its vehicles must display the ADEM permit number. ADEM places the responsibility on the facility offering the waste to confirm its transporter’s permit is current. The only exemption is a generator of less than 220 pounds a month hauling its own waste (335-17-1-.02(24), 335-17-5-.01).
What records do I need to keep for medical waste in Alabama?
Alabama doesn’t use a state medical waste manifest, and ADEM’s rules set no record-retention period for generators. What you must keep is a current written medical waste management plan — including your transporter’s name and ADEM permit number and how often waste is picked up — available to ADEM on request. Separately, OSHA requires bloodborne pathogens training records to be kept for three years.
Can medical waste go to a landfill in Alabama?
Not untreated — disposing of untreated medical waste isn’t allowed anywhere in Alabama. It must first be treated at a permitted facility, for example by steam sterilization, with sharps and anatomical waste further processed. Treated waste then goes to an approved municipal solid waste landfill with the treater’s written certification (335-17-6-.01, 335-17-7).
Where in Alabama does MedPro Disposal provide service?
Everywhere in Alabama — we serve healthcare facilities statewide, from Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley to Mobile and the Wiregrass. We also have local service pages for Auburn, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa.
How much does medical waste disposal cost in Alabama?
It depends on how much waste you generate and how often it’s picked up — we charge only for the services you need. MedPro quotes in Alabama have projected annual savings from about $700 for an MRI lab to more than $23,000 for a pediatrics practice. Request a free, no-obligation quote for your facility.
Our services in Alabama
Industries we serve
Sources
- ADEM Admin. Code Division 335-17 — Medical Waste Program (eff. Aug. 14, 2025) — Alabama Department of Environmental Management
- Alabama Environmental Regulations and Laws (incl. Code of Ala. Title 22, Ch. 27) — Alabama Department of Environmental Management
- Permitting and Registration — Alabama Department of Environmental Management
- ADEM Permitted Medical Waste Transporters — Alabama Department of Environmental Management
- Contact ADEM — Alabama Department of Environmental Management
- Bureau of Health Provider Standards — Alabama Department of Public Health
- Contact ADPH — Alabama Department of Public Health
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 — U.S. OSHA
- State Plans — U.S. OSHA
- Regulated medical waste, 49 CFR 173.197 — eCFR
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