Medical Waste Disposal in New Mexico
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste, sharps and pharmaceutical waste pickup and disposal for healthcare facilities statewide in New Mexico — from Farmington to Las Cruces and Clovis — with manifests and a pickup schedule that fit the state’s special waste rules.
How is medical waste disposal regulated in New Mexico?
New Mexico regulates medical waste as “infectious waste”, one of the “special wastes” covered by the Solid Waste Rules (20.9.8.13 NMAC) and enforced by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED). Every generator — from hospitals to dental offices, veterinarians and tattoo parlors, regardless of quantity — must keep a written infectious waste management plan and segregate, bag, box and label its waste. Special waste may be stored for up to 90 days unless NMED approves otherwise, and every load must travel with an NMED-registered special waste hauler on a manifest the generator keeps for three years.
- State term
- Infectious waste
- Rules
- 20.9.8.13 NMAC
- Enforced by
- NMED
- Onsite storage
- Up to 90 days
Key takeaways
- New Mexico regulates medical waste as “infectious waste”, a type of special waste under the Solid Waste Rules (20.9.8.13 NMAC), enforced by the New Mexico Environment Department.
- New Mexico’s infectious waste rules apply to every generator regardless of quantity, including physicians’ offices, dental offices, veterinarians, funeral homes and tattoo parlors.
- Every person who generates, transports, stores, treats or disposes of infectious waste in New Mexico must keep a written infectious waste management plan on file.
- New Mexico limits storage of special waste, including infectious waste, to 90 days unless NMED approves otherwise; anyone other than the generator may hold infectious waste over seven days only if it is refrigerated at or below 45°F.
- Every load of infectious waste in New Mexico must travel with a manifest, and the generator must keep the originating copy and the signed returned copy for three years.
New Mexico Medical Waste Rules
Medical waste is regulated mainly by each state, with a few federal rules on top. In New Mexico it’s treated as infectious waste — one of several “special wastes” — under the Solid Waste Rules, 20.9.2 to 20.9.10 NMAC, adopted by the Environmental Improvement Board under the Solid Waste Act and enforced by the New Mexico Environment Department. Here’s what they require of a practice, clinic or other healthcare facility.
What New Mexico regulates
Infectious Waste
A solid waste that carries a probable risk of transmitting disease to humans or animals. Infectious waste is one of New Mexico’s “special wastes” — solid wastes with unique handling, transportation or disposal requirements. It does not include household waste (except waste generated by home health care professionals), human remains intended for interment or incineration, soiled diapers without infectious material, body excretions and secretions unless visibly contaminated with blood, or syringes without a needle that haven’t contacted blood, body fluids or infectious agents.
- Cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals, including discarded live and attenuated vaccines
- Human pathological wastes (tissues, organs and body parts from surgery, autopsy or other procedures)
- Human blood and body fluid waste, including blood products, blood-soaked items, used transfusion IV bags and dialysis waste
- Other potentially infectious materials as defined by OSHA at 29 CFR 1910.1030(b)
- Contaminated animal carcasses, body parts, blood and bedding from animals exposed to infectious agents
- Isolation wastes from humans or animals with rare or emerging infectious diseases
- Discarded sharps, used or unused (unless in original packaging), from patient care, treatment or research
Who regulates medical waste in New Mexico
New Mexico Environment Department — Resource Recovery Bureau
Formerly the Solid Waste Bureau. Administers the Solid Waste Act and Solid Waste Rules, including the special waste requirements for infectious waste, solid waste facility permits and the registration of commercial and special waste haulers.
Harold L. Runnels Building, 1190 St. Francis Drive, Suite N4050, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Official websiteNMED — Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (NM OSHA)
Runs New Mexico’s OSHA State Plan, which covers private employers and state and local government. It enforces the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, adopted in New Mexico by reference.
Key New Mexico requirements
| Topic | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who the rules cover | The infectious waste rules apply to every generator regardless of how much it generates, including hospitals, nursing and intermediate care facilities, dialysis, surgical, urgent care and community clinics, home health agencies, laboratories, medical buildings, physicians’ and dental offices, veterinarians, acupuncturists, funeral homes, eye clinics, and tattoo and body-piercing establishments. | 20.9.8.13(A) NMAC |
| Management plan | Every person who generates, transports, stores, treats or disposes of infectious waste must prepare and keep on file a management plan covering the types of waste, segregation, packaging, labeling, collection, storage and transport procedures, the treatment or disposal method, the transporter and disposal facility used, and the person responsible. | 20.9.8.13(E)(1) NMAC |
| Packaging and labeling | Infectious waste must be segregated from other waste at the point of origin. Except for sharps, it goes in red or orange plastic bags, securely tied, inside rigid, leak-resistant containers labeled “biomedical waste” or otherwise conspicuously as infectious waste, with absorbent for any liquid. Sharps go in leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant containers made for sharps. Full containers placed in storage must show the generator’s name and address, contents, hazards and the date placed in storage. | 20.9.8.13(C)(2)–(9), 20.9.8.10(C)–(D) NMAC |
| Storage | Special waste, including infectious waste, may not be stored for longer than 90 days from the date it is placed in storage unless NMED approves otherwise. Anyone other than the generator may not store infectious waste for over seven days unless it is refrigerated at or below 45°F. Storage areas must protect waste from the elements and pests, be ventilated to the outdoors (unless refrigerated), be open only to authorized people, and carry warning signs readable from 25 feet. | 20.9.8.10(B), 20.9.8.13(C)(1), (8) NMAC |
| Haulers | Anyone transporting special waste must register with NMED 30 days before beginning operations and every five years after. Haulers must label containers before transport, carry a clean-up kit in every vehicle, and deliver only to a facility permitted to accept that type of special waste. | 20.9.3.31 NMAC; 20.9.8.9(C), 20.9.8.10(E), (G) NMAC |
| Manifests and records | The generator (or its authorized agent) must prepare and sign a manifest for each load, get the initial transporter’s signature, and keep a copy. The disposal facility must return the signed original within 30 days, and significant discrepancies must be reported in writing within 24 hours. The generator keeps the originating copy and the returned original for three years, and keeps any treatment certification it receives for three years. | 20.9.8.19, 20.9.8.13(B)(2) NMAC |
| Treatment and disposal | Infectious waste must go to a facility permitted to process, store or dispose of it, and may be incinerated only in a permitted infectious waste incinerator. Approved methods are incineration, steam sterilization, discharge of liquids to a secondary sewage treatment system with the operator’s written approval, or another method NMED approves. It can’t be compacted or ground before treatment without NMED approval, and recognizable human anatomical remains must be incinerated or interred. | 20.9.8.9(B), 20.9.8.13(C)(10), (D)–(F) NMAC |
- NMSA 1978, §§ 74-9-1 to 74-9-43
Solid Waste Act
New Mexico’s solid waste law. It requires permits for solid waste facilities and is the authority under which the Environmental Improvement Board adopted the Solid Waste Rules, including the infectious waste requirements.
- 20.9.8 NMAC
Special Waste Requirements
Storage limits, labeling and manifests for all special waste, and the infectious waste section (20.9.8.13): who it applies to, containment, management plans, treatment methods and disposal of anatomical remains.
- 20.9.2.7 NMAC
Solid Waste Rules — Definitions
Defines infectious waste, special waste, generator, hauler and commercial hauler for all of the Solid Waste Rules.
- 20.9.3.31 NMAC
Registration of Commercial Haulers and Haulers of Special Waste
Requires anyone hauling special waste to register with NMED before beginning operations and every five years after.
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). New Mexico adopts 29 CFR 1910 by reference, and the NMED Occupational Health and Safety Bureau enforces it for private employers and state and local government. | 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii), (g)(1); 11.5.2.9 NMAC |
| 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. New Mexico’s rules also require rigid infectious waste containers and bags to meet 49 CFR 173.197. | 49 CFR 173.134, 173.197; 20.9.8.13(C)(3), (5) NMAC |
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 Mexico infectious waste compliance checklist
Use this to check your facility against New Mexico’s infectious waste rules (20.9.8 NMAC) and the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. MedPro handles the pickup, transport and treatment — the rest happens in your facility.
Get Compliant Pickup- 1
You have a written infectious waste management plan
It names your waste types, how you segregate, package, label, store and ship them, your transporter and disposal facility, and the person responsible.
- 2
Infectious waste is separated where it’s generated
Kept in its own containers at the point of origin. Anything else put in the same container must be handled as infectious waste.
- 3
Non-sharps waste is in red or orange bags inside rigid containers
Bags securely tied, with enough absorbent in the container to soak up any liquid present.
- 4
Sharps go in purpose-made sharps containers
Leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant, manufactured for sharps, and taped closed or tightly lidded.
- 5
Full containers are labeled and dated
Labeled “biomedical waste” or otherwise conspicuously as infectious waste, with your name and address, the contents, the hazards and the date placed in storage.
- 6
Nothing is stored past 90 days
The special waste limit, unless NMED approves otherwise.
- 7
Your storage area is secured and signed
Protected from the elements and pests, ventilated to the outdoors unless refrigerated, open only to authorized people, with warning signs readable from 25 feet.
- 8
Manifests are kept for three years
Keep your originating copy and the signed original the disposal facility returns, plus any treatment certifications you receive.
New Mexico Medical Waste Savings
Projected annual savings from quotes we’ve prepared for New Mexico 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dental | 88310 | $3,600 |
| Urgent Care | 88310 | $3,692 |
| Family Practice | 87105 | $4,052 |
| Surgery Center | 87111 | $2,730 |
| Medical Group | 88240 | $2,460 |
| Long Term Care Facility | 88340 | $33,165 |
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 Mexico
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste pickup and disposal to healthcare facilities in every part of New Mexico — wherever your practice is. Local service pages include:
Near the state line? We serve the neighboring states too.
New Mexico Medical Waste FAQs
What counts as medical waste in New Mexico?
New Mexico calls it infectious waste: solid waste that carries a probable risk of transmitting disease to humans or animals. It includes cultures and stocks, human pathological waste, blood and body fluid waste, contaminated animal waste, isolation waste and discarded sharps (20.9.2.7(I)(5) NMAC). Household waste is excluded, except infectious waste generated by home health care professionals.
Who regulates medical waste disposal in New Mexico?
The New Mexico Environment Department regulates infectious waste as a special waste under the Solid Waste Act and Solid Waste Rules, through its Resource Recovery Bureau (formerly the Solid Waste Bureau). NMED’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau enforces the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard under New Mexico’s State Plan, and U.S. DOT rules govern shipping.
Do New Mexico medical practices need a permit or plan?
The rules don’t require generators to register with NMED, but every person who generates infectious waste must prepare and keep on file a written management plan covering how the waste is segregated, packaged, labeled, stored and transported, the treatment or disposal method, the transporter and facility used, and the person responsible (20.9.8.13(E)(1) NMAC). The rules apply to generators of any size.
How long can a medical practice store medical waste in New Mexico?
Up to 90 days from the date the waste is placed in storage, unless NMED approves otherwise (20.9.8.10(B) NMAC). The separate seven-day limit — infectious waste held over seven days must be refrigerated at or below 45°F — applies to anyone storing the waste other than the generator, such as a transfer or treatment facility. MedPro sets your pickup schedule so you stay well inside the limit.
What does New Mexico require of medical waste haulers?
Anyone transporting special waste, including infectious waste, must register with NMED before beginning operations and renew every five years (20.9.3.31 NMAC). Haulers must sign and carry the manifest, label containers before transport, carry a clean-up kit in each vehicle, keep manifest copies for three years, and deliver only to a facility permitted to accept infectious waste (20.9.8.9, 20.9.8.10, 20.9.8.19 NMAC).
How long do I need to keep medical waste records in New Mexico?
Three years. Keep the originating copy of every manifest and the signed original the disposal facility returns, which it must send within 30 days of receiving the shipment (20.9.8.19 NMAC). Also keep any certification that your waste was rendered non-infectious for three years (20.9.8.13(B)(2) NMAC).
Where in New Mexico does MedPro Disposal provide service?
Everywhere in New Mexico — we service facilities statewide. We also have local service pages for Albuquerque, Clovis, Farmington, Las Cruces, Los Lunas, Rio Rancho, Roswell and Santa Fe.
How much does medical waste disposal cost in New Mexico?
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 Mexico have projected annual savings of $4,052 for a family practice, $3,600 for a dental office and $33,165 for a long-term care facility. Request a free, no-obligation quote for your facility.
Our services in New Mexico
Industries we serve
Sources
- 20.9.8 NMAC — Special Waste Requirements (20.9.8.13 Infectious Waste; 20.9.8.19 Manifests) — New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
- 20.9.2 NMAC — Solid Waste Management General Requirements (20.9.2.7 Definitions) — New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
- 20.9.3 NMAC — Solid Waste Management Permitting and Registration (20.9.3.31 Hauler Registration) — New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
- 11.5.2 NMAC — Occupational Health and Safety, General Industry (11.5.2.9 Incorporated Federal Standards) — New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
- Resource Recovery Bureau (formerly Solid Waste Bureau) — New Mexico Environment Department
- Solid Waste Rules and Statutes — New Mexico Environment Department
- Permitted/Registered Facilities and Haulers — New Mexico Environment Department
- Occupational Health and Safety Bureau — New Mexico Environment Department
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 — U.S. OSHA
- New Mexico State Plan — U.S. OSHA
- Infectious substances, 49 CFR 173.134 — eCFR
- Regulated medical waste, 49 CFR 173.197 — eCFR
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