Medical Waste Disposal in Maryland
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste, sharps and pharmaceutical waste pickup and disposal for healthcare facilities everywhere in Maryland — from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore — on a schedule built around how much waste you generate.
How is medical waste disposal regulated in Maryland?
Maryland regulates medical waste as “special medical waste,” a controlled hazardous substance under COMAR 26.13.11–26.13.13, enforced by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE); the Maryland Department of Health sets handling, treatment and disposal standards in COMAR 10.06.06. Generators of 50 pounds or more a month — or anyone holding more than 50 pounds on site — need an MDE special medical waste ID number, must package, mark and label the waste to U.S. DOT standards, and may hand it only to an MDE-certified hauler with a shipping paper. Maryland’s rules set no onsite storage time limit; they do require treatment before disposal and three-year retention of waste determinations and reports.
- State term
- Special medical waste
- Rules
- COMAR 26.13.11–.13; 10.06.06
- Enforced by
- MDE and MDH
- ID number needed at
- 50 lb/month
Key takeaways
- Maryland regulates medical waste as “special medical waste,” a controlled hazardous substance under COMAR 26.13.11 through 26.13.13, administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
- A Maryland generator of 50 pounds or more of special medical waste in a calendar month, or with more than 50 pounds accumulated on site, must obtain a special medical waste ID number from MDE.
- Maryland’s special medical waste rules set no onsite storage time limit, but a small generator that accumulates more than 50 pounds becomes fully regulated.
- Anyone transporting special medical waste to or from a Maryland facility needs an MDE special medical waste hauler certificate, a vehicle certificate for each truck and a bond of at least $10,000.
- Maryland requires special medical waste to be treated before disposal, and sharps may go to a solid waste landfill only after incineration or sterilization followed by mechanical destruction.
Maryland Medical Waste Rules
Medical waste is regulated mainly by each state, with a few federal rules on top. In Maryland it’s “special medical waste,” treated as a controlled hazardous substance under the Environment Article, Title 7, Subtitle 2. MDE’s rules (COMAR 26.13.11–26.13.13) cover identification, generators and transporters, and the Maryland Department of Health’s rules (COMAR 10.06.06) cover handling, treatment and disposal. Here’s what they require of a practice, clinic or other healthcare facility.
What Maryland regulates
Special Medical Waste
A solid waste, not otherwise excluded, that is composed of anatomical material; liquid or semiliquid blood; blood-soiled articles or contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious material if compressed or are caked with it and could release it during handling; contaminated material; infectious substances that can cause disease in humans; microbiological laboratory waste; liquid or semiliquid other potentially infectious material; pathological and microbiological waste containing blood or other potentially infectious material; or sharps. Household waste, waste from handling animals not known to carry a disease transmissible to humans, ash from an authorized medical waste incinerator, and waste not generated in the ordinary course of business are excluded. Generators of less than 50 pounds a month are excluded from most generator and transporter rules unless they accumulate more than 50 pounds.
- Anatomical material (human or animal body parts, tissues and organs)
- Blood in a liquid or semiliquid state
- Blood-soiled articles that would release blood if compressed or are caked with dried blood
- Contaminated items that would release other potentially infectious material
- Contaminated material (including items that contacted a known human pathogen)
- Infectious substances that can cause disease in humans
- Microbiological laboratory waste (cultures and stocks of pathogens)
- Other potentially infectious material in a liquid or semiliquid state
- Pathological and microbiological waste containing blood or other potentially infectious material
- Sharps (needles, syringes with needles, scalpels, broken glass and capillary tubes, exposed ends of dental wires)
Who regulates medical waste in Maryland
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) — Solid Waste Program
Regulates special medical waste as a controlled hazardous substance. Assigns generator and transporter ID numbers, certifies special medical waste haulers and vehicles, and receives spill reports.
Maryland Department of Health (MDH) — Environmental Health Bureau
Sets the handling, treatment and disposal standards for special medical waste in COMAR 10.06.06, including approved treatment methods for waste and sharps.
Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH)
Maryland runs an OSHA-approved State Plan. MOSH, in the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Labor and Industry, enforces the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for private employers and state and local government workplaces.
Key Maryland requirements
| Topic | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Waste determination | Anyone who generates a solid waste must determine whether it’s special medical waste: first check whether it’s excluded, then whether it meets the definition. Records of the determination must be kept for at least three years from the date the waste was last sent for treatment, storage or disposal. | COMAR 26.13.12.02, 26.13.12.06A(2) |
| Small generator threshold | A person who generates less than 50 pounds of special medical waste in a calendar month is excluded from the generator and transporter rules (except the waste determination, DOT classification and treatment requirements) — but once more than 50 pounds accumulates, that waste is fully regulated. Sterilized special medical waste is excluded on the same terms. | COMAR 26.13.11.03B–E |
| Generator ID number | A regulated generator may not treat, store, dispose of, transport or offer for transport special medical waste without a Maryland identification number from MDE, obtained by filing MDE’s special medical waste ID application. The number is assigned to the site address; there’s no fee. | COMAR 26.13.12.03 |
| Classification, packaging and labeling | Before special medical waste leaves the site, the generator must classify it and assign a proper shipping name under U.S. DOT rules (generally “regulated medical waste, n.o.s.” or an infectious substance), package it under 49 CFR Part 173, and mark and label it under 49 CFR Part 172, Subparts D and E. | COMAR 26.13.12.05A–B |
| Shipping papers and haulers | A generator shipping special medical waste off site must prepare a shipping paper under 49 CFR 172.200–172.204, and may offer the waste only to a transporter with a Maryland ID number. The transporter must hold an MDE hauler certificate and vehicle certificates, can’t accept waste without the shipping paper, and must deliver the entire load to the facility the generator designated. | COMAR 26.13.12.03C, 26.13.12.04, 26.13.13.01–.02 |
| Treatment and disposal | Special medical waste must be treated before disposal by autoclaving, chemical disinfection, cremation, disinfection, mechanical destruction after decontamination, incineration or an approved alternative. Sharps must be treated by encapsulation, incineration, mechanical destruction after decontamination or an approved alternative, and may go to a solid waste landfill only if incinerated or sterilized and then mechanically destroyed. | COMAR 10.06.06.04–.05; 26.13.12.05C |
| Records | Generators must keep copies of any annual or exception reports for at least three years from the date of the report, and waste determination records for three years. Retention periods extend automatically during any unresolved enforcement action or at MDE’s request, and MDE may require additional reports on quantities and disposition. | COMAR 26.13.12.06 |
- Md. Code, Environment §§ 7-201 et seq.
Controlled Hazardous Substances
MDE’s authority over controlled hazardous substances, including special medical waste. § 7-249 bars transporting a controlled hazardous substance from a Maryland source or to a Maryland facility without a hauler certificate and a vehicle certificate.
- COMAR 26.13.11
Special Medical Wastes
Defines special medical waste, sharps and related terms, and sets the exclusions, including the 50-pound-per-month small generator exclusion.
- COMAR 26.13.12
Standards Applicable to Generators of Special Medical Waste
Waste determination, Maryland ID numbers, shipping papers, DOT classification, packaging and labeling, treatment and the sharps landfill ban, and record keeping.
- COMAR 26.13.13
Standards Applicable to Transporters of Special Medical Waste
Transporter ID numbers, hauler and vehicle certificates, the $10,000 bond, vehicle standards, stoppage limits, delivery and spill reporting.
- COMAR 10.06.06
Communicable Disease Prevention — Handling, Treatment, and Disposal of Special Medical Waste
Maryland Department of Health rules on handling, approved treatment methods for special medical waste and sharps, alternative treatment systems and disposal.
Federal rules that also apply
| Topic | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens (MOSH) | 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). Maryland’s State Plan (MOSH) enforces the standard for private employers and state and local government, and COMAR 10.06.06.03 requires special medical waste to be handled to these sharps container rules. | 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii), (g)(1); COMAR 10.06.06.03 |
| 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. Maryland adopts the DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR 171–178) for generators and transporters of special medical waste. The offeror keeps a copy of each shipping paper for two years. | 49 CFR 172.201(e), 173.134, 173.197; COMAR 26.13.12.05, 26.13.13.01G |
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.
Maryland special medical waste compliance checklist
Use this to check your facility against Maryland’s special medical waste rules (COMAR 26.13.11–26.13.13 and 10.06.06) and the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard as enforced by MOSH. MedPro handles the pickup, transport and treatment — the rest happens in your facility.
Get Compliant Pickup- 1
You know whether your waste is special medical waste
Check the exclusions first, then the definition — Maryland requires this determination in that order, and you keep the records for three years.
- 2
You have an MDE special medical waste ID number if you need one
Required once you generate 50 lb or more in a calendar month or hold more than 50 lb on site. The number is assigned to your site address; there’s no fee.
- 3
You track your monthly volume
Under 50 lb a month you’re excluded from most of the generator and transporter rules — but only while you never accumulate more than 50 lb.
- 4
Sharps go into proper sharps containers
Closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, labeled or color-coded, upright and within easy reach (OSHA, enforced in Maryland by MOSH).
- 5
Waste is packaged, marked and labeled to DOT standards
Maryland adopts the federal hazardous materials rules for packaging, marking and labeling before any special medical waste leaves your site.
- 6
A shipping paper goes with every pickup
Prepared under 49 CFR 172.200–172.204. A certified hauler can’t accept your waste without one.
- 7
You only hand waste to an MDE-certified hauler
Maryland prohibits offering special medical waste to a transporter that doesn’t have a Maryland ID number and hauler certificate.
- 8
Records are kept for three years
Waste determinations and any reports MDE requests, plus your DOT shipping paper copies (at least two years under federal rules).
Maryland Medical Waste Savings
Projected annual savings from quotes we’ve prepared for Maryland 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Surgery | 20817 | $5,500 |
| Gastroenterology | 20904 | $15,600 |
| Medical Services | 20743 | $1,349 |
| Vein Center | 21075 | $44,940 |
| Endoscopy Center | 21601 | $6,859 |
| Family Practice | 21050 | $1,000 |
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 Maryland
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste pickup and disposal to healthcare facilities in every part of Maryland — wherever your practice is. Local service pages include:
Near the state line? We serve the neighboring states too.
Maryland Medical Waste FAQs
What counts as medical waste in Maryland?
Maryland calls it special medical waste. It includes anatomical material, liquid or semiliquid blood, blood-soiled or contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious material, contaminated material, infectious substances, microbiological laboratory waste, pathological and microbiological waste containing blood or other potentially infectious material, and sharps (COMAR 26.13.11.02B). Household waste is excluded (COMAR 26.13.11.03).
Who regulates medical waste disposal in Maryland?
The Maryland Department of the Environment regulates special medical waste as a controlled hazardous substance — generator and transporter ID numbers, hauler and vehicle certification, shipping papers and records (COMAR 26.13.11–26.13.13). The Maryland Department of Health sets handling, treatment and disposal standards (COMAR 10.06.06). MOSH enforces the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, and U.S. DOT rules govern shipping.
Do Maryland medical practices need to register with the state?
If you generate 50 pounds or more of special medical waste in a calendar month, or have more than 50 pounds on site at any time, you need a Maryland special medical waste ID number from MDE before the waste can be shipped (COMAR 26.13.11.03, 26.13.12.03). You apply with MDE’s special medical waste ID application; the number is assigned to your site address and there’s no fee.
How long can a medical practice store medical waste in Maryland?
Maryland’s special medical waste rules don’t set an onsite storage time limit for generators. What they do limit is quantity for small generators: if you generate under 50 pounds a month, you stay excluded from most of the rules only while you never accumulate more than 50 pounds (COMAR 26.13.11.03B–C). Containers must still meet OSHA’s requirements, and MedPro sets a pickup schedule that fits your volume.
What does Maryland require of medical waste haulers?
A hauler needs a Maryland transporter ID number, an MDE special medical waste hauler certificate and a certificate for each vehicle, a bond of at least $10,000, and a passed safety inspection for each truck. Waste must travel in a leakproof, noncompacting, fully enclosed compartment with a shipping paper, stops are limited to 72 hours at a time and 5 days in total per shipment in Maryland, and spills must be reported to MDE within one hour (Env. § 7-249; COMAR 26.13.13).
How long do I need to keep medical waste records in Maryland?
Keep your special medical waste determinations and copies of any annual or exception reports for at least three years; the period extends automatically during any unresolved enforcement action (COMAR 26.13.12.06). Under federal DOT rules you also keep a copy of each shipping paper for two years after the hauler accepts the waste (49 CFR 172.201(e)).
Where in Maryland does MedPro Disposal provide service?
Everywhere in Maryland — we service facilities statewide, from Western Maryland through the Baltimore and Washington suburbs to Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore. We also have local service pages for Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, Glen Burnie, Laurel, North Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring and Waldorf.
How much does medical waste disposal cost in Maryland?
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 Maryland have projected annual savings of $44,940 for a vein center and $15,600 for a gastroenterology practice. Request a free, no-obligation quote for your facility.
Our services in Maryland
Industries we serve
Sources
- COMAR 26.13.11 — Special Medical Wastes (definitions and exclusions) — Library of Maryland Regulations (Division of State Documents)
- COMAR 26.13.12 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Special Medical Waste — Library of Maryland Regulations (Division of State Documents)
- COMAR 26.13.13 — Standards Applicable to Transporters of Special Medical Waste — Library of Maryland Regulations (Division of State Documents)
- COMAR 26.13.13.01 — Transporter ID number, certificates, vehicles and stoppage — Library of Maryland Regulations (Division of State Documents)
- COMAR 10.06.06 — Handling, Treatment, and Disposal of Special Medical Waste — Library of Maryland Regulations (Division of State Documents)
- Environment Article § 7-201 (Controlled Hazardous Substances definitions) — Maryland General Assembly
- Environment Article § 7-249 (Hauler and vehicle certificates) — Maryland General Assembly
- Land permit application forms (special medical waste ID number and hauler certification) — Maryland Department of the Environment
- Application for Special Medical Waste Generator Identification Number — Maryland Department of the Environment
- Guidelines for Transportation of Special Medical Wastes — Maryland Department of the Environment
- Special medical waste — Maryland Department of Health
- Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) — Maryland Department of Labor
- Maryland State Plan — U.S. OSHA
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 — U.S. OSHA
- Preparation and retention of shipping papers, 49 CFR 172.201 — eCFR
- Infectious substances, 49 CFR 173.134 — eCFR
- Regulated medical waste, 49 CFR 173.197 — eCFR
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