Purpose & Scope

MedPro Waste Disposal’s Waste Acceptance Policy (WAP) defines the standards and practices required to ensure the proper collection, segregation, packaging, labeling, and transportation of Regulated Medical Waste (RMW). This policy is designed to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including:

· U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

· Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

· Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

· Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

NOTE: Non-compliance may result in refusal of waste, penalties, breach of contract, or regulatory sanctions.

Definitions

Regulated Medical Waste (RMW): Waste generated in healthcare or related facilities that may be infectious or biohazardous.

Category A Infectious Substances: Materials capable of causing life-threatening or fatal disease in healthy humans or animals.

Trace Chemotherapy Waste: Items contaminated with minimal residual chemotherapy agents (<3% of the original volume or <1 inch of liquid).

Bulk Chemotherapy Waste: Items containing more than trace amounts of chemotherapy agents.

Hazardous Waste: Waste defined by characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity per 40 CFR 261 and/or COMAR 26.13.02.

Non-Conforming Waste: Any waste that does not meet MedPro’s or regulatory acceptance standards.

Acceptable Waste Streams

MedPro Waste Disposal accepts the following:

1. Infectious Waste

· Blood and blood products (solidified)

· Body fluids and materials saturated with them

· Culture dishes, plates, test tubes, and lab waste

· Disposable gowns, gloves, and PPE

· Dialysis waste (tubing, filters)

· Isolation waste (contaminated disposables)

2. Sharps Waste

· Needles, syringes, scalpels, lancets

· Must be in puncture-resistant, leakproof, and labeled containers

3. Trace Chemotherapy Waste

· Empty IV bags/tubing, vials, syringes

· Contaminated PPE (gowns, gloves)

4. Pathological Waste (for incineration only)

· Human or animal tissues, organs, surgical specimens

5. Non-Hazardous, Non-Controlled Pharmaceutical Waste

· Must be certified by the generator as non-RCRA hazardous

· Requires separate packaging and labeling

Prohibited Waste Streams

MedPro strictly prohibits acceptance of the following:

I. Category A Infectious Substances

· Including prion-contaminated materials unless pre-authorized

II. Human Anatomical Remains

· Cadavers, heads, torsos, fetuses, and other anatomical specimens

III. Hazardous Waste (RCRA/CHS)

· Ignitables (<140°F flashpoint), corrosives (pH <2 or >12.5), reactives, toxics

· EPA waste codes “F”, “K”, “P”, and “U”

· Examples: Coumadin, Lindane, Humulin N, Nicotine patches, Nitroglycerin (certain states)

IV. Chemical Waste

· Formaldehyde/formalin >10%, acids, alcohols, solvents, oil

V. Radioactive Waste

· Waste with radioactivity exceeding 3x background levels

· Radioisotopes, lead-lined materials

VI. Mercury & Mercury-Containing Devices

· Thermometers, amalgam capsules, traps, monitors, thermostats, etc.

VII. Compressed Gas Cylinders & Pressurized Containers

· Includes aerosol cans, inhalers, oxygen tanks

VIII. Non-Combustible and Oversized Items

· Metal furniture, CRTs, office equipment, construction debris

IX. Improperly Managed Waste

· Unlabeled, unsealed, or leaking containers

· Incomplete shipping documentation

· Transported in uncertified vehicles

Packaging & Labeling Requirements

All packaging must meet 49 CFR 173.197 and DOT standards:

Container Requirements

· Rigid, leak-resistant, moisture-proof

· Sufficient strength to prevent bursting

· Proper sealing to prevent leakage

Labeling

· Marked with UN 3291 and biohazard symbol

· Color-coded per waste stream (e.g., red for RMW, yellow for chemo)

Specific Waste Types

· Sharps: Puncture-resistant and sealed

· Autoclave vs. Incineration Waste: Separately packaged and labeled

· Pharmaceutical Waste: Segregated with compliance certification

Customer Responsibilities

· Correct classification and certification of all waste

· Use of MedPro-approved containers only

· Maintain secure storage until pickup

· Ensure employee training and policy visibility

Disclaimers & Enforcement

· Non-Conforming Waste remains the generator’s responsibility

· Improperly packaged waste will be refused or returned at the customer’s expense

· Violations may result in:

o Refusal of service

o Breach of contract

o Regulatory reporting and/or penalties

Acknowledgment & Compliance

By signing below, the customer acknowledges receipt, review, and understanding of MedPro’s Waste Acceptance Policy. They agree not to submit prohibited waste and accept responsibility for any non-conforming waste provided.

This document must be retained and made available to facility staff and auditors. Updates will be issued in accordance with regulatory changes or operational updates. The latest version can always be found at medprodisposal.com/waste-acceptance-policy