Washington State Medical Waste Rules & Regulations
A plain-language guide to how Washington State regulates biomedical waste: what counts, who sets the rules, and what your hauler and your facility have to do. MedPro Disposal doesn’t currently offer on-site pickup in Washington State, but we offer compliance training and sharps and pharmaceutical mail-back to Washington State generators.
We don’t currently offer on-site pickup in Washington
We do not currently offer on-site medical waste disposal service in Washington. Call (888) 641-6131 for more information. We also offer compliance training and our sharps and pharmaceutical mail-back program to Washington generators.
How is medical waste disposal regulated in Washington State?
Washington State regulates medical waste as “biomedical waste,” defined in RCW 70A.228.010 as six types of waste; that definition is the only one allowed in the state and overrides any local definition. Day-to-day rules for generators — management plans, storage time limits, permits — are set and enforced by each local health jurisdiction, such as Public Health – Seattle & King County or the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Companies that haul biomedical waste for hire need a certificate from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) and must follow its biomedical waste rules in chapter 480-70 WAC, including a shipping paper the generator signs for every pickup. Workplace safety is covered by L&I’s DOSH State Plan under chapter 296-823 WAC.
- State term
- Biomedical waste
- Definition
- RCW 70A.228.010
- Generator rules
- Local health jurisdictions
- Haulers
- UTC-certified (WAC 480-70)
Key takeaways
- Washington State calls medical waste “biomedical waste,” limited by RCW 70A.228.010 to animal waste, biosafety level 4 disease waste, cultures and stocks, human blood and blood products, pathological waste and sharps waste.
- The biomedical waste definition in RCW 70A.228.010 is Washington State’s only definition and preempts any definition set by a local health department or local government (RCW 70A.228.020).
- In Washington State, generator requirements such as management plans, permits and storage time limits are set by the local health jurisdiction, so they differ from county to county.
- In King County, biomedical waste other than sharps must be treated or delivered for treatment within 14 days of generation, and sealed sharps containers within 90 days, unless the health officer approves otherwise in writing.
- Companies hauling biomedical waste for hire in Washington State need a UTC certificate and must issue a shipping paper for every shipment, signed by the generator, and keep a copy for three years (WAC 480-70-471).
Washington State Medical Waste Rules
Medical waste is regulated mainly by each state, with a few federal rules on top. Washington State sets one statewide definition of biomedical waste in chapter 70A.228 RCW, but leaves most generator requirements to local health jurisdictions. The Utilities and Transportation Commission regulates the companies that haul it, and L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health protects the workers who handle it. Here’s how those pieces fit together for a practice, clinic or other healthcare facility.
What Washington regulates
Biomedical Waste
Washington State’s definition “means, and is limited to,” six types of waste. It is the sole state definition and preempts any biomedical waste definition set by a local health department or local government. Pathological waste does not include teeth, human corpses, remains and anatomical parts intended for final disposition. Sharps generated at a residence (“residential sharps waste”) are treated separately.
- Animal waste (carcasses, body parts and bedding of animals known to be infected with, or inoculated with, human pathogenic microorganisms)
- Biosafety level 4 disease waste (waste contaminated with blood, excretions, exudates or secretions from humans or animals isolated for BSL-4 pathogens)
- Cultures and stocks (specimen cultures, cultures and stocks of etiologic agents, wastes from producing biologicals and serums, discarded live and attenuated vaccines, and lab waste that contacted cultures or blood specimens, such as culture dishes and blood specimen tubes)
- Human blood and blood products (discarded human blood and blood components, and materials containing free-flowing blood)
- Pathological waste (human biopsy materials, tissues and anatomical parts from surgery, obstetrical procedures and autopsy)
- Sharps waste (hypodermic needles, syringes with needles attached, IV tubing with needles attached, scalpel blades and lancets removed from the original sterile package)
Who regulates medical waste in Washington
Local health jurisdictions (e.g. Public Health – Seattle & King County)
Set and enforce the rules for biomedical waste generators in their county or district, including management plans, storage, containment, treatment and permits for transporters and treatment sites. In King County, call the Environmental Health Services Division and ask for the Solid Waste program.
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
Runs Pierce County’s infectious waste program: businesses that generate, transport or treat infectious waste must get a permit, which involves an application, a fee and an inspection.
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC)
Issues the certificates that solid waste collection companies, including biomedical waste haulers, need to haul for compensation, and sets their biomedical waste rules for operating plans, training, packaging, vehicles and shipping papers.
Washington State Department of Ecology
Regulates dangerous waste, including dangerous waste pharmaceuticals from health care facilities (WAC 173-303-555). Waste that is both dangerous waste and biomedical waste (“dual waste”) must meet both sets of rules.
Washington L&I — Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)
Runs Washington State’s OSHA-approved State Plan, covering private employers and state and local government workers, and enforces the bloodborne pathogens rule in chapter 296-823 WAC.
Key Washington requirements
| Topic | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who sets generator rules | Washington State has one statewide definition of biomedical waste, but no single statewide rule for generator registration, storage time or records. Those requirements come from your local health jurisdiction, so they vary by county — check with your local health department. Ecology’s guidance says biomedical waste is “regulated by local health departments or districts.” | RCW 70A.228.005, 70A.228.020 |
| Management plan (King County example) | Every biomedical waste generator in King County must write and follow a biomedical waste management plan, reviewed internally each year and endorsed by the chief executive officer. It covers infection control contacts, the wastes handled, responsibilities, segregation, containment, transport, treatment, disposal, contingency planning and staff training, and must be available to the health officer on request. | King County BOH Code 10.07.060 A |
| Storage and containment (King County example) | Store biomedical waste protected from animals, rain and wind and accessible only to authorized staff; segregate it at the point of origin; use leakproof, marked plastic bags inside leakproof pails, drums or bins labeled with the biohazard symbol and “Biomedical Waste”; keep sharps in leakproof, rigid, puncture- and break-resistant labeled containers. No trash chutes, no compaction and nothing into the general solid waste stream before treatment. | King County BOH Code 10.07.060 B.1–B.10 |
| Storage time limit (King County example) | Unless the health officer approves otherwise in writing, biomedical waste other than sharps must be treated or delivered to a biomedical waste storage/treatment operator within 14 days of generation. Sharps containers must be transported to a storage/treatment facility within 90 days of being sealed. Other counties set their own limits. | King County BOH Code 10.07.060 B.8 |
| Hauler certificate and operations | Hauling biomedical waste for compensation requires a UTC certificate. The hauler must follow federal hazmat rules (49 CFR Parts 171–180), keep a written biomedical waste operating plan in its office and every vehicle, train and certify its employees, never compact the waste, use enclosed, leak-proof, lockable cargo compartments, and deliver only to a facility that meets local, state and federal rules. | RCW 81.77.040; WAC 480-70-431, -436, -441, -456, -461, -466 |
| Packaging for transport | Biomedical waste other than sharps must be in moisture-impervious bags or lined containers that won’t rip, tear, leak or burst in transport. Sharps containers must be moisture-impervious, rigid, puncture-resistant and labeled to federal standards. The hauler places bags in tightly covered, leak-resistant, labeled pails, cartons, drums or bins, and containers marked as biomedical waste can’t be used for other waste. | WAC 480-70-451 |
| Shipping papers and records | The hauler must issue a shipping paper for every shipment, naming the generator, the transporter, the collection date and time, the final destination and the type and quantity of waste. A representative of the generator signs it to acknowledge delivery and compliance with packaging rules; the receiving facility signs at the destination; and the hauler keeps a copy at its main office for three years. King County also requires transporters to keep disposal records for at least three years. | WAC 480-70-471; King County BOH Code 10.07.040 |
| Pharmaceutical waste | Health care facilities managing dangerous waste pharmaceuticals follow Ecology’s rules in WAC 173-303-555, based on EPA’s Subpart P (40 CFR 266) and covering state-only dangerous waste pharmaceuticals too. Waste that is both dangerous waste and biomedical waste must meet the handling and transport rules for both. | WAC 173-303-555 |
- Chapter 70A.228 RCW
Biomedical Waste
Sets the single statewide definition of biomedical waste, preempts local definitions, lets the Department of Health evaluate treatment technologies on request, and governs residential sharps disposal and collection.
- RCW 81.77.040
Certificate of convenience and necessity required
A solid waste collection company may not haul solid waste for compensation — including advertising or offering the service — without a certificate from the UTC.
- WAC 480-70-426 through 480-70-476
Solid Waste Collection Companies — Part IX, Biomedical Waste Rules
UTC rules for biomedical waste haulers: federal hazmat rules adopted, a written operating plan, employee training, packaging and containment, no compaction, vehicle standards, shipping papers and inspections.
- King County Board of Health Code, Ch. 10.07
Biomedical Waste (example of local rules)
King County’s generator and transporter rules: management plans, storage and containment, the 14-day and 90-day time limits, treatment methods, contingency planning, and permits for transporters and storage/treatment sites.
Federal rules that also apply
| Topic | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bloodborne pathogens (DOSH State Plan) | Washington State’s DOSH State Plan covers private employers and state and local government workers; federal OSHA covers federal workers. Under chapter 296-823 WAC, sharps containers must be closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, labeled or color-coded, upright, close to the point of use and not overfilled; other regulated waste goes in closable, leak-proof, labeled containers; and all regulated waste must be disposed of under applicable state and county regulations. The rule parallels federal 29 CFR 1910.1030. | WAC 296-823-14060; 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii) |
| 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 UTC adopts the federal hazardous materials regulations for biomedical waste haulers. | 49 CFR 173.134, 173.197; WAC 480-70-431 |
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’s compliance training can help you understand what applies to your facility.
Washington State biomedical waste compliance checklist
Use this to check your facility against Washington State’s biomedical waste framework, your local health jurisdiction’s rules and the DOSH bloodborne pathogens rule. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the details with your local health department.
Compliance Training- 1
You know your local health jurisdiction’s rules
Storage limits, permits and management plan requirements are set locally — for example by Public Health – Seattle & King County, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department or the Spokane Regional Health District.
- 2
You have a written biomedical waste management plan if required
King County requires every generator to keep one, reviewed internally each year and available for inspection; Tacoma-Pierce County requires an infectious waste management plan and a generator permit.
- 3
Biomedical waste is separated where it’s generated
Keep it in its own containers from the point of origin and never put it in the regular trash or a trash chute before treatment.
- 4
Bags and containers are strong, sealed and labeled
Leakproof bags that won’t rip or burst, inside leak-resistant, tightly covered pails, cartons, drums or bins labeled with the biohazard symbol.
- 5
Sharps go in rigid, puncture-resistant containers
Closable, leakproof on the sides and bottom, labeled or color-coded, kept upright, close to where sharps are used and never overfilled.
- 6
Waste leaves within your local time limit
In King County: 14 days from generation for non-sharps and 90 days from sealing for sharps containers, unless the health officer approves otherwise. Check your own county’s limit.
- 7
Your hauler is UTC-certified and gives you a shipping paper
A representative of your facility signs it at pickup. Keep your copy — the hauler must keep its copy for three years.
- 8
Bloodborne pathogens training records are kept for three years
DOSH requires training records with dates, content, trainers and attendees, kept for three years from the training date.
Washington Medical Waste FAQs
What counts as medical waste in Washington State?
Washington State calls it biomedical waste, and RCW 70A.228.010 limits it to six types: animal waste from infected or inoculated animals, biosafety level 4 disease waste, cultures and stocks (including discarded live and attenuated vaccines and lab waste that contacted cultures or blood specimens), human blood and blood products, pathological waste, and sharps waste. This definition overrides any local definition (RCW 70A.228.020).
Who regulates medical waste disposal in Washington State?
Several agencies share it. The statewide definition is in chapter 70A.228 RCW; local health jurisdictions such as Public Health – Seattle & King County set and enforce the rules for generators; the Utilities and Transportation Commission certifies and regulates biomedical waste haulers (RCW 81.77.040, WAC 480-70); Ecology regulates dangerous waste pharmaceuticals; and L&I’s DOSH enforces the bloodborne pathogens rule (chapter 296-823 WAC).
How long can a medical practice store medical waste in Washington State?
There’s no single statewide limit — it depends on your local health jurisdiction. In King County, biomedical waste other than sharps must be treated or delivered for treatment within 14 days of generation, and sealed sharps containers within 90 days, unless the health officer approves otherwise in writing (King County BOH Code 10.07.060 B.8). Check your own county’s rules if you’re outside King County.
Do Washington State medical practices need a permit or plan?
It depends on the county. In King County, every biomedical waste generator must keep a written biomedical waste management plan with an annual internal review, available for inspection (BOH Code 10.07.060 A). The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department requires businesses that generate, transport or treat infectious waste to get a permit.
What does Washington State require of medical waste haulers?
A company hauling biomedical waste for compensation needs a UTC certificate (RCW 81.77.040). Under WAC 480-70, it must follow federal hazmat rules, keep a written biomedical waste operating plan in its office and vehicles, train its employees, never compact biomedical waste, use enclosed, leak-proof, lockable cargo compartments and deliver only to a compliant treatment facility. Local health jurisdictions may also require a transporter permit — King County does (BOH Code 10.07.020).
How long do I need to keep medical waste records in Washington State?
The UTC requires the hauler to keep a copy of each signed shipping paper at its main office for three years (WAC 480-70-471), and King County requires transporters to keep disposal records for at least three years (BOH Code 10.07.040). Generator record rules are set locally. Separately, DOSH requires you to keep bloodborne pathogens training records for three years from the training date (WAC 296-823-12015).
Does MedPro Disposal offer pickup in Washington State?
We do not currently offer on-site medical waste pickup in Washington State. Please call 888-641-6131 for more information. We do offer compliance training and our sharps and pharmaceutical mail-back program to Washington State generators.
Our services in Washington
Industries we serve
Sources
- Chapter 70A.228 RCW — Biomedical Waste — Washington State Legislature
- RCW 70A.228.010 — Definitions — Washington State Legislature
- RCW 81.77.040 — Certificate of convenience and necessity required — Washington State Legislature
- Chapter 480-70 WAC — Solid Waste and/or Refuse Collection Companies (Part IX, Biomedical Waste) — Washington State Legislature
- WAC 480-70-451 — Biomedical waste, packaging and containment — Washington State Legislature
- WAC 480-70-471 — Biomedical waste, shipping-paper requirements — Washington State Legislature
- Solid Waste Company Tariffs — Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
- Board of Health Code Title 10 — Solid Waste Regulations (Ch. 10.07 Biomedical Waste) — King County Board of Health
- Biomedical waste — Public Health – Seattle & King County
- Infectious Waste Management — Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
- Pharmaceutical waste — Frequently Asked Questions — Washington State Department of Ecology
- WAC 173-303-555 — Dangerous waste pharmaceuticals — Washington State Legislature
- Chapter 296-823 WAC — Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens — Washington State Legislature
- Washington State Plan — U.S. OSHA
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 — U.S. OSHA
- Infectious substances, 49 CFR 173.134 — eCFR
- Regulated medical waste, 49 CFR 173.197 — eCFR
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