Medical Waste Disposal in Wisconsin
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste, sharps and pharmaceutical waste pickup and disposal for healthcare facilities everywhere in Wisconsin — from Milwaukee and Madison to the Fox Valley and Chippewa Valley — on a schedule that keeps you inside the state’s 90-day storage limit.
How is medical waste disposal regulated in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin regulates medical waste as “infectious waste” under Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 526, Medical Waste Management, enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Generators must separate infectious waste where it’s generated, package it in labeled containers, keep stored waste secured and have it removed at least every 90 days. Anyone hauling 50 pounds or more a month needs a DNR infectious waste transportation license, shipments travel on a manifest or USDOT shipping paper, and generators keep their copies and proof of treatment for at least three years.
- State term
- Infectious waste
- Rules
- Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 526
- Enforced by
- Wisconsin DNR
- Onsite storage
- Removed at least every 90 days
Key takeaways
- Wisconsin regulates medical waste as “infectious waste” under Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 526, Medical Waste Management, enforced by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
- Wisconsin presumes five categories are infectious waste: sharps (including unused sharps being discarded), bulk human blood and body fluids, human tissue, microbiological laboratory waste, and tissue or body fluids from animals carrying a zoonotic infectious agent.
- In Wisconsin, containers of stored infectious waste must be removed and emptied at least every 90 days, in a secured, enclosed area that holds only infectious waste (NR 526.09 (4)).
- Wisconsin requires a DNR infectious waste transportation license for each vehicle of anyone hauling 50 pounds or more of infectious waste a month (NR 526.10).
- Wisconsin infectious waste generators must keep their manifest copies and treatment certifications for at least three years, and generators that manifest their waste must file a DNR annual report by March 1.
Wisconsin Medical Waste Rules
Medical waste is regulated mainly by each state, with a few federal rules on top. In Wisconsin it’s governed by Wis. Admin. Code chapter NR 526, Medical Waste Management, adopted by the Department of Natural Resources under Wis. Stat. ss. 287.07 and 299.51 and the solid waste law, ch. 289. Here’s what it requires of a practice, clinic or other healthcare facility.
What Wisconsin regulates
Infectious Waste
Solid waste that contains pathogens with sufficient virulence and in sufficient quantity that exposure of a susceptible human or animal to the solid waste could cause the human or animal to contract an infectious disease (Wis. Stat. s. 287.07 (7) (c) 1. c.). “Medical waste” is infectious waste plus other waste that contains or may be mixed with it (s. 299.51 (1) (b)). Waste in the categories below is presumed infectious unless accepted testing shows otherwise. Presumed not infectious: items soiled but not saturated with blood, IV tubing with the needle removed, animal waste from animals not known to carry a zoonotic agent, manure and bedding, packaging that had no contact with blood or infectious agents, and waste already treated under NR 526.11. Households need to manage only their sharps as infectious waste.
- Sharps — contaminated needles, syringes with needles, scalpel blades, lancets, broken glass or rigid plastic vials and slides, plus unused or disinfected sharps being discarded
- Bulk blood and body fluids from humans (drippable or pourable amounts, or items saturated with them)
- Human tissue (including teeth, not hair or nails)
- Microbiological laboratory waste (cultures from clinical specimens and equipment that contacted them)
- Tissue, bulk blood or body fluids from an animal carrying a zoonotic infectious agent
Who regulates medical waste in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources — Waste and Materials Management
Writes and enforces Wisconsin’s medical waste rule, NR 526. It licenses infectious waste transporters, storage and treatment facilities, registers sharps collection stations, and receives infectious waste annual reports.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Not the medical waste regulator. Its radiation protection rules (ch. DHS 157) govern medical waste mixed with radioactive material until the radioactive part has decayed, after which NR 526 applies.
Federal OSHA — Wisconsin Area Offices
Wisconsin has no OSHA State Plan, so federal OSHA enforces the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for private employers, through area offices in Appleton, Eau Claire, Madison and Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Area Office: 310 West Wisconsin Avenue, Room 1180, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Official website
Key Wisconsin requirements
| Topic | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Source separation | No one may put infectious waste in the same bag or receptacle as non-infectious waste unless mixing is needed to protect patients or staff. Anything mixed with infectious waste, or placed in a biohazard-labeled bag or container, must be managed as infectious waste until treated. | Wis. Admin. Code s. NR 526.06 |
| Containment and labeling | Before infectious waste leaves the property where it was generated, sharps must be in rigid, puncture-resistant containers labeled with the biohazard emblem or “bio-hazard”, “sharps” or “infectious waste”. Other infectious waste goes in a sealed plastic bag meeting ASTM impact and tear standards (doubled if necessary) or a rigid reusable container, and bags go inside a rigid container such as a corrugated box labeled with the biohazard emblem and the word “bio-hazard”. Untreated infectious waste may not be compacted. | Wis. Admin. Code ss. NR 526.07, NR 526.08 (4) |
| Storage | Everyone storing infectious waste — including onsite at the generating facility — must keep the storage area clean with floors impermeable to liquids (no carpet or wood), holding only infectious waste, enclosed from the weather and limited to authorized personnel, and must prevent odors and nuisances (refrigerating below 42°F is one listed measure, not a requirement). Containers must be removed and emptied at least every 90 days. Onsite storage areas don’t need a DNR license. | Wis. Admin. Code s. NR 526.09 (2), (4) |
| Transport | Anyone transporting infectious waste needs a DNR infectious waste transportation license for each vehicle, unless exempt (for example, hauling less than 50 lb a month). Licensed vehicles show “WDNR” and the license number on both doors, carry a spill contingency plan, and may deliver only to facilities licensed or exempt to store or treat infectious waste. | Wis. Admin. Code s. NR 526.10 |
| Manifests | Infectious waste leaving the generating property must travel with a USDOT shipping paper (when DOT rules apply) or a Wisconsin infectious waste manifest, signed by everyone who handles it; the transporter leaves a copy with you at pickup. Generators sending less than 50 lb a month off site are exempt from manifesting but must still keep records. | Wis. Admin. Code s. NR 526.14 (1)–(3) |
| Treatment and disposal | Infectious waste must be rendered non-infectious — by incineration, steam disinfection (autoclaving), chemical, gas or heat-and-grinding methods, or another DNR-accepted process — before it goes to a landfill. Sharps must also be broken so they can’t be reused, and human tissue made unrecognizable. Generators must make sure their waste is treated before disposal. | Wis. Admin. Code ss. NR 500.03 (112), NR 526.11, NR 526.13 |
| Records and annual report | Generators must keep records of the infectious waste they send off site, including the manifest copy from pickup and the record certifying treatment, for at least three years after treatment (DNR advises five years for hospitals, clinics and nursing homes). Generators required to manifest, and medical facilities required to report on waste reduction, must file a DNR infectious waste annual report, with its filing fee, by March 1. | Wis. Admin. Code ss. NR 526.14 (1) (a), (4), NR 526.15 |
| Medical waste reduction | Hospitals, clinics and nursing homes generating 50 lb or more of medical waste a month must adopt a written medical waste reduction policy, audit their waste practices, prepare and implement a reduction plan, assess it annually and submit progress reports. Exempt facilities must keep records of the amount they generate for five years. | Wis. Admin. Code ss. NR 526.16–526.21 |
- Wis. Stat. s. 287.07 (7) (c)
Infectious waste definition and landfill restrictions
Defines infectious waste, clinics and medical waste incinerators, and allows containers and materials that held infectious waste to be landfilled only once treated to render the infectious waste noninfectious.
- Wis. Stat. s. 299.51
Medical waste management
Defines medical waste and manifests, requires every hospital, clinic and nursing home to implement a medical waste reduction policy, and directs DNR to write the rules — exempting generators of less than 50 lb a month from the reduction requirement.
- Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 526
Medical Waste Management
Infectious waste categories, source separation, containment, handling, storage, transporter licensing, treatment methods, disposal, manifests and records, annual reports, and medical waste reduction plans for medical facilities.
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). Wisconsin has no OSHA State Plan: federal OSHA covers private employers, and the Department of Safety and Professional Services sets standards for state and local government employees at least equal to OSHA’s. | 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii), (g)(1); Wis. Stat. s. 101.055 |
| 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. Where DOT rules apply, Wisconsin accepts the DOT shipping paper in place of its own manifest. | 49 CFR 173.134, 173.197; Wis. Admin. Code s. NR 526.14 (1) (b) |
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.
Wisconsin infectious waste compliance checklist
Use this to check your facility against Wisconsin’s medical waste rule (Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 526) and the federal OSHA standard. MedPro handles the pickup, transport and treatment — the rest happens in your facility.
Get Compliant Pickup- 1
Infectious waste is separated where it’s generated
It goes into its own containers at the point of generation, never in the same bag as regular trash. Anything mixed in must then be managed as infectious waste.
- 2
Sharps go in rigid, labeled containers
Puncture-resistant metal or rigid plastic, designed not to lose contents, and marked with the biohazard emblem or “bio-hazard”, “sharps” or “infectious waste”.
- 3
Other infectious waste is bagged and boxed
A tear- and impact-resistant plastic bag (doubled if necessary), sealed, then placed in a rigid container such as a corrugated box labeled with the biohazard emblem and the word “bio-hazard”.
- 4
Your storage area is clean, enclosed and restricted
Impermeable floors (no carpet or wood), only infectious waste in the area, out of the weather, limited to authorized staff, with odors and nuisances kept in check.
- 5
Nothing sits more than 90 days
Stored containers must be removed and emptied at least every 90 days. MedPro’s pickup schedule is set to keep you well inside that.
- 6
Your hauler is DNR-licensed
Anyone transporting 50 lb or more a month needs a DNR infectious waste transportation license, shown as “WDNR” plus the license number on the vehicle doors.
- 7
Manifests and treatment records are kept
Keep the copy left at pickup and the signed record certifying treatment for at least three years — DNR advises five years for hospitals, clinics and nursing homes.
- 8
Annual report and waste reduction plan, if they apply
File DNR’s infectious waste annual report by March 1 if you manifest your waste. Hospitals, clinics and nursing homes generating 50 lb or more a month also need a medical waste reduction policy and plan.
Wisconsin Medical Waste Savings
Projected annual savings from quotes we’ve prepared for Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Farm | 53538 | $1,050 |
| Government | 54810 | $2,560 |
| Health Care Clinic | 53511 | $8,350 |
| Assisted Living Facility | 53530 | $8,688 |
| OBGYN | 53711 | $1,890 |
| Rheumatologist | 53132 | $2,850 |
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 Wisconsin
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste pickup and disposal to healthcare facilities in every part of Wisconsin — wherever your practice is. Local service pages include:
Near the state line? We serve the neighboring states too.
Wisconsin Medical Waste FAQs
What counts as medical waste in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin regulates “infectious waste”: sharps (including unused sharps being thrown away), bulk human blood and body fluids, human tissue, microbiological laboratory waste, and tissue or body fluids from animals carrying a zoonotic infectious agent (Wis. Admin. Code s. NR 526.05). “Medical waste” is infectious waste plus anything mixed with it (Wis. Stat. s. 299.51). Items only spotted with blood, IV tubing without needles and packaging that never contacted blood are presumed not infectious.
Who regulates medical waste disposal in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) writes and enforces the medical waste rule, Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 526, and licenses infectious waste haulers and treatment facilities. 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 Wisconsin?
Stored containers of infectious waste must be removed and emptied at least every 90 days (Wis. Admin. Code s. NR 526.09 (4) (g)); DNR guidance counts that from when a container is full or you decide to discard it. The rule sets no required temperature — you must prevent odors and nuisances, and refrigerating below 42°F is one way to do that. MedPro sets your pickup schedule so you stay well inside the limit.
Do Wisconsin medical practices need to register with the state?
No. DNR doesn’t require infectious waste generators to register or obtain an ID number. But if you manifest your infectious waste — generally, if you send 50 lb or more a month off site — you must file DNR’s infectious waste annual report and fee by March 1, and hospitals, clinics and nursing homes generating 50 lb or more a month need a medical waste reduction policy and plan (NR 526.15–526.21).
What does Wisconsin require of medical waste haulers?
Anyone transporting 50 lb or more of infectious waste a month needs a DNR infectious waste transportation license for each vehicle. Licensed vehicles show “WDNR” and the license number on both doors, must be enclosed and leak-resistant (no roll-offs or dumpsters), carry a written spill plan and cleanup materials, sign and pass on every manifest, and deliver only to licensed or exempt storage and treatment facilities (Wis. Admin. Code s. NR 526.10).
How long do I need to keep medical waste records in Wisconsin?
At least three years after your waste is treated: keep the manifest copy left at pickup and the record certifying treatment, and provide them to DNR on request (Wis. Admin. Code s. NR 526.14 (4) (a)). DNR advises hospitals, clinics and nursing homes to keep them five years to support their waste reduction records.
How should sharps be handled in Wisconsin?
Sharps — including unused needles, lancets and syringes with needles being thrown away — are infectious waste. They go in rigid, puncture-resistant containers labeled with the biohazard emblem or “bio-hazard”, “sharps” or “infectious waste” (NR 526.07 (1)), and treatment must make them non-infectious and broken so they can’t be reused (NR 500.03 (112)). Reusable sharps containers can’t be opened, emptied or cleaned by hand.
Where in Wisconsin does MedPro Disposal provide service?
Everywhere in Wisconsin — we service facilities statewide. We also have local service pages for Appleton, Eau Claire, Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha.
Our services in Wisconsin
Industries we serve
Sources
- Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 526 — Medical Waste Management — Wisconsin Legislature, Legislative Reference Bureau
- Wis. Admin. Code s. NR 500.03 — Definitions — Wisconsin Legislature, Legislative Reference Bureau
- Wis. Stat. s. 287.07 (7) (c) — Infectious waste definition — Wisconsin Legislature, Legislative Reference Bureau
- Wis. Stat. s. 299.51 — Medical waste management — Wisconsin Legislature, Legislative Reference Bureau
- Wis. Stat. s. 101.055 — Public employee safety and health — Wisconsin Legislature, Legislative Reference Bureau
- Wisconsin’s infectious waste regulations — Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Infectious waste annual report — Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Waste licenses and approvals (infectious waste haulers) — Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Basic Infectious Waste Requirements for Generators of Small Amounts (WA-815) — Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Contact the Department of Health Services — Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 — U.S. OSHA
- State Plans (Wisconsin is under federal OSHA) — U.S. OSHA
- Wisconsin OSHA Area Offices — U.S. OSHA
- Infectious substances, 49 CFR 173.134 — eCFR
- Regulated medical waste, 49 CFR 173.197 — eCFR
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