Medical Waste Disposal in New Hampshire
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste, sharps and pharmaceutical waste pickup and disposal for healthcare facilities everywhere in New Hampshire, on a schedule built around the state’s storage rules.
How is medical waste disposal regulated in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire regulates medical waste as “infectious waste” under Part Env-Sw 904 of its Solid Waste Rules, adopted by the Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) under RSA 149-M. Infectious waste must be stored in a designated, protected area, labeled “infectious waste”, “biohazard waste” or with the biohazard symbol, and may not be kept at room temperature for more than 72 hours. It may go only to authorized facilities, travel under U.S. DOT hazardous materials rules, and be treated to high-level disinfection before it can be landfilled.
- State term
- Infectious waste
- Rules
- Env-Sw 904
- Enforced by
- NHDES
- Room-temp storage
- 72 hours max
Key takeaways
- New Hampshire regulates medical waste as “infectious waste” under Part Env-Sw 904 of the NHDES Solid Waste Rules, adopted under RSA 149-M.
- In New Hampshire, infectious waste may not be stored at room temperature for more than 72 hours, and generators must use refrigeration when needed to keep it from putrefying (Env-Sw 904.02).
- New Hampshire generators may transfer infectious waste only to authorized facilities, and it must be transported under U.S. DOT hazardous materials regulations (Env-Sw 904.02(k), 904.06).
- New Hampshire requires infectious waste to be treated to high-level disinfection plus a 4-log reduction of Bacillus spores before it can be landfilled in the state (Env-Sw 904.03, 904.04).
- New Hampshire has no OSHA State Plan, so federal OSHA enforces the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for private employers in the state.
New Hampshire Medical Waste Rules
Medical waste is regulated mainly by each state, with a few federal rules on top. In New Hampshire it’s governed by Part Env-Sw 904 (Infectious Waste) of the Solid Waste Rules, adopted by NHDES under RSA 149-M, which treats medical and infectious waste as “special waste”. New Hampshire’s rules are short — they have no generator registration, state manifest or hauler license — so the federal OSHA and DOT rules carry much of the day-to-day detail. Here’s what they require of a practice, clinic or other healthcare facility.
What New Hampshire regulates
Infectious Waste
Any waste which because of its infectious nature may cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase 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. Excluded: gloves, gowns, underpads and other materials that touch patients during routine examination or care but aren’t saturated with blood, body fluids or secretions; animal carcasses not exposed to infectious agents in research or production; and household infectious waste, provided household sharps are sealed in rigid, puncture-resistant containers labeled “not for recycling” and taken to an authorized facility.
- Cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals, including discarded live and attenuated vaccines
- Pathological wastes (tissues, organs and body parts removed during surgery or autopsy)
- Waste human blood and blood products, and items saturated or dripping with blood
- Used sharps (needles, syringes, Pasteur pipettes, broken glass, scalpel blades)
- Contaminated animal carcasses, body parts and bedding from research
- Patient care, surgery or autopsy wastes in contact with infectious agents
- Laboratory wastes in contact with infectious agents
- Dialysis wastes in contact with patients’ blood
- Discarded medical equipment and parts in contact with infectious agents
- Isolation wastes
- Discarded preparations made from genetically altered organisms
Who regulates medical waste in New Hampshire
NH Department of Environmental Services — Solid Waste Management Bureau
Adopts and enforces the Solid Waste Rules, including Env-Sw 904 for infectious waste, and permits the facilities that store, treat and dispose of it. Its Solid Waste Compliance Section answers infectious waste questions at (603) 271-2925.
Federal OSHA — Concord Area Office
New Hampshire has no OSHA State Plan, so federal OSHA enforces the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for private employers in the state.
J.C. Cleveland Federal Building, 53 Pleasant Street, Room 3901, Concord, NH 03301
Official website
Key New Hampshire requirements
| Topic | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Storage location and security | Infectious waste must be stored in a pre-designated location protected from water, rain and wind, and from animals, insects and rodents. Access to on-site storage areas is limited to authorized people, and outdoor storage areas such as dumpsters, sheds and trailers must be locked. | Env-Sw 904.02(b), (f)–(h) |
| Storage time | Infectious waste may not be stored at room temperature for more than 72 hours, and waste stored at a generator’s facility must be kept from putrefying, using refrigeration when necessary. The rules set no separate time limit for refrigerated waste. Facilities that receive infectious waste from off-site generators may not store it more than 7 days from receipt. | Env-Sw 904.02(d), (e), (l) |
| Containers and labeling | Storage containers and packaging must be labeled conspicuously and legibly with “infectious waste” or “biohazard waste” or the universal biohazard symbol, and be strong enough that no waste is released during storage. The contents of damaged or ruptured containers must be repackaged. | Env-Sw 904.02(c), (i), (j) |
| Transfer and transport | The generator may transfer infectious waste only to authorized facilities. Waste sent off site for treatment must travel under the U.S. DOT hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171–180). Anything outside those rules must have sharps segregated in rigid, puncture-resistant containers, be double-bagged in sealed 3-mil polyethylene bags, and be labeled “Infectious waste”, “Biohazard waste” or the biohazard symbol with the generator’s and transporter’s names, addresses and phone numbers. | Env-Sw 904.02(k), 904.06; RSA 149-M:9, II |
| Treatment and disposal | The generator must make sure its infectious waste is treated at an authorized facility to high-level disinfection plus a 4-log reduction of Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus stearothermophilus. Untreated infectious waste can’t be landfilled in New Hampshire, and limbs and recognizable organs (other than teeth and contiguous gum tissue) must be incinerated or interred. Liquid infectious waste may go to a sanitary sewer only if the receiving plant has secondary treatment and local rules allow it. | Env-Sw 904.03(a), 904.04, 904.08 |
| On-site treatment | A facility that treats its own infectious waste by a method other than incineration must verify the method with efficacy testing when it starts, test at least four times a year afterwards, and keep the test records for at least three years. | Env-Sw 904.03(b), 904.07 |
| Hospital and veterinary collection points | A licensed health care facility (RSA 151) or a licensed veterinarian’s facility may collect and store infectious waste from itself, affiliated facilities, community non-profits and local households without a solid waste permit, as long as it follows Env-Sw 904 and has assured access to an authorized facility. | Env-Sw 408.10 |
- RSA 149-M
Solid Waste Management
Defines “special waste” as medical or infectious waste (§ 149-M:4, XXV), directs NHDES to adopt standards for its treatment and disposal (§ 149-M:7, VIII), and makes it unlawful to transport solid waste to, or dispose of it at, anything other than an approved facility (§ 149-M:9, II).
- Env-Sw 904
Infectious Waste
What counts as infectious waste, collection and storage rules including the 72-hour room-temperature limit, the treatment standard, disposal limits, transport packaging and labeling, and efficacy testing for treatment facilities.
- Env-Sw 103
Solid Waste Rule Definitions
Defines infectious waste, infectious agent and household infectious waste.
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). Training records are kept for three years. New Hampshire has no OSHA State Plan: federal OSHA covers private employers, and state and local government workers aren’t covered by federal OSHA. | 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii), (g)(1), (h)(2) |
| 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. The shipper keeps a copy of each shipping paper for two years. New Hampshire’s rules require DOT-compliant transport for infectious waste sent off site for treatment. | 49 CFR 172.201(e), 173.134, 173.197; Env-Sw 904.06(a) |
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.
New Hampshire infectious waste compliance checklist
Use this to check your facility against New Hampshire’s infectious waste rules (Env-Sw 904) and the federal OSHA and DOT rules. MedPro handles the pickup, transport and treatment — the rest happens in your facility.
Get Compliant Pickup- 1
Infectious waste is kept out of the regular trash
Sharps, blood-saturated items, cultures and other infectious waste go into their own containers — non-household infectious waste can’t go through the normal trash stream.
- 2
Sharps go straight into rigid containers
Closable, puncture-resistant and leakproof on the sides and bottom, labeled or color-coded, and kept upright and within easy reach.
- 3
Every container is labeled
“Infectious waste”, “Biohazard waste” or the universal biohazard symbol, written conspicuously and legibly.
- 4
You have a designated storage spot
A pre-designated location protected from water, rain, wind, animals, insects and rodents, with access limited to authorized people. Outdoor storage areas must be locked.
- 5
Nothing sits at room temperature past 72 hours
Keep waste from putrefying, using refrigeration when necessary, and schedule pickups so room-temperature storage never passes 72 hours.
- 6
Damaged containers are repackaged
Containers must be strong enough that nothing is released during storage; repackage the contents of any damaged or ruptured container.
- 7
Your hauler takes waste only to an authorized facility
Waste must leave your site in DOT-compliant packaging and go only to a facility authorized to receive it.
- 8
Shipping papers and training records are on file
Keep a copy of each DOT shipping paper for two years and OSHA bloodborne pathogens training records for three years.
New Hampshire Medical Waste Savings
Projected annual savings from quotes we’ve prepared for New Hampshire 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Family Practice | 03051 | $2,238 |
| Dermatology | 03104 | $5,880 |
| Women’s Health | 03801 | $7,440 |
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 New Hampshire
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste pickup and disposal to healthcare facilities in every part of New Hampshire — wherever your practice is. Local service pages include:
Near the state line? We serve the neighboring states too.
New Hampshire Medical Waste FAQs
What counts as medical waste in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire calls it infectious waste. It includes cultures and stocks, pathological waste, waste blood and items saturated or dripping with blood, used sharps, contaminated research animal waste, patient care and lab waste in contact with infectious agents, dialysis waste, isolation waste and discarded genetically altered preparations (Env-Sw 904.01(a)). Gloves, gowns and underpads that aren’t saturated with blood or body fluids are excluded, as is household infectious waste handled as the rules require.
Who regulates medical waste disposal in New Hampshire?
The Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), through its Solid Waste Management Bureau, regulates infectious waste under the Solid Waste Rules (Env-Sw 904) and RSA 149-M. Federal OSHA enforces the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for private employers, and U.S. DOT rules govern shipping.
How long can a medical practice store medical waste in New Hampshire?
No more than 72 hours at room temperature. Waste stored at the generator’s facility must be kept from putrefying, using refrigeration when necessary, and New Hampshire’s rules set no separate time limit for refrigerated waste (Env-Sw 904.02(d)–(e)). MedPro sets your pickup schedule around these rules.
Do New Hampshire medical practices need to register with the state?
New Hampshire’s infectious waste rules (Env-Sw 904) don’t require generators to register or get an ID number. They do require you to store, label and package the waste correctly and to hand it only to authorized facilities. A practice that treats its own waste on site must meet the treatment standard and efficacy-testing rules (Env-Sw 904.03, 904.07).
What does New Hampshire require of medical waste haulers?
Infectious waste sent off site for treatment must be transported under the U.S. DOT hazardous materials regulations, and generators may transfer it only to authorized facilities (Env-Sw 904.02(k), 904.06). State law makes it unlawful to haul solid waste to anything other than an approved facility (RSA 149-M:9, II), and transporters must notify the receiving facility before delivering treated infectious waste for disposal.
How long do I need to keep medical waste records in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire’s infectious waste rules don’t set a record period for generators who ship their waste off site. Federal rules do: keep a copy of each DOT shipping paper for two years (49 CFR 172.201(e)) and OSHA bloodborne pathogens training records for three years (29 CFR 1910.1030(h)(2)). Facilities that treat their own waste keep efficacy test records for three years (Env-Sw 904.07).
Where in New Hampshire does MedPro Disposal provide service?
Everywhere in New Hampshire — we service facilities statewide. We also have local service pages for Concord, Derry, Dover, Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth and Rochester.
How much does medical waste disposal cost in New Hampshire?
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 New Hampshire have projected annual savings of $7,440 for a women’s health practice and $5,880 for a dermatology practice. Request a free, no-obligation quote for your facility.
Our services in New Hampshire
Industries we serve
Sources
- Env-Sw 900, Part Env-Sw 904 — Infectious Waste — New Hampshire General Court, Administrative Rules
- Env-Sw 100 — Solid Waste Rule Definitions (Env-Sw 103.25, 103.31, 103.32) — New Hampshire General Court, Administrative Rules
- Env-Sw 400 — Collection, Storage and Transfer Facilities (Env-Sw 408.10, 408.11) — New Hampshire General Court, Administrative Rules
- RSA 149-M — Solid Waste Management — New Hampshire General Court
- Solid Waste — New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
- Sharps and Infectious Waste — New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
- NHDES Main Line — New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 — U.S. OSHA
- State Plans (New Hampshire is under federal OSHA) — U.S. OSHA
- New Hampshire OSHA Area Office — U.S. OSHA
- Shipping papers — retention, 49 CFR 172.201 — eCFR
- Infectious substances, 49 CFR 173.134 — eCFR
- Regulated medical waste, 49 CFR 173.197 — eCFR
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