Medical waste is one of the byproducts of many different medical practices. The handling and disposal of this waste is distinct from other forms of waste disposal. Hazardous and biohazardous waste can place many people in danger of exposure to radiation, disease and other dangerous materials. It is important to be aware of the different types of medical waste and the ways they are handled to ensure that the waste is being disposed of properly, safely and efficiently.
In This Article
Different Types of Medical Waste
The Environmental Protection Agency as well as many medical waste disposal groups generally classify medical waste into four unique categories: hazardous, radioactive, infectious and general. The identification of the different types of medical waste is important in determining its method of storage, pickup, handling, transportation and safe disposal. Being able to label your medical waste under one of the following four classifications will help your
medical waste disposal
company as well as the government to regulate its disposal and prevent any dangerous accidents or exposure to the hazardous or biohazardous material.
- Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste is the waste that is not infectious, but can still be considered dangerous. This includes anything from sharps, used surgical equipment, some chemicals and old drugs. Though this type of medical waste is not harmful via infection, it has the ability to impact humans negatively. It is vital to dispose of this waste via a medical waste disposal company such as MedPro Waste Disposal.
- Radioactive Waste
Exposure to radiation brings many health risks.
Radioactive waste
is the byproduct of radioactive treatments, such as cancer therapies, and also of medical equipment that utilizes radioactive nuclear isotopes. Any waste that comes into contact with radioactive elements is labeled as radioactive waste. This waste, similar to radioactive waste, needs to be disposed of properly by a trusted medical waste disposal service.
- Infectious Waste
Infectious waste
is identified by its ability to spread infection in humans. Typically, this includes anything contaminated with bodily fluids. Blood, human or animal tissue, bandages, contaminated cultures, dishes or flasks, swabs or anything else that had come into contact with infectious materials. Infectious waste is a threat to human health and the spread of pathogens and infectious diseases in humans, so the handling and disposal of this waste needs to be disposed of safely by a medical waste company like MedPro Waste Disposal.
- General Waste
General waste is the waste that is not categorized into any of the other categories of medical waste. This waste is similar to typical household or office waste. However, since it has the potential to come into contact with other biohazardous waste, it is important to continue to practice safe disposal of this waste. General Waste can include paper, plastics or other waste products that do not fall into the other three categories or were not exposed to potentially harmful materials.
The Importance of Understanding the Difference Between Waste Categories
Many people may consider medical waste as anything that is a biohazard, such as needles or byproducts of chemotherapy treatment. However, the type of medical waste is important in determining its disposal process. For medical waste that is not biohazardous, such as general waste, incineration is not required but may be used to dispose of it to be safe. The landfill is a safe place to dispose of the majority of general waste. However, more dangerous types of medical waste such as infectious, hazardous or radioactive waste need to be disposed of in a much more tedious and specific manner. The Environmental Protection Agency handles the regulation of medical waste and the forms of disposal for each category. Medical waste disposal companies are a great resource to find more information on the forms of medical waste disposal and different packages medical practices can participate in to ensure that their medical waste is being disposed of safely and efficiently.
Before disposing of your medical waste, be sure to identify the type of waste so it can be stored properly until it can be picked up and transported to a medical waste disposal facility. Different types of waste should be stored separate from one another to avoid any potential cross contamination or mishandling of waste. To ensure that your waste is safely and correctly stored prior to pickup and disposal, it may be a good idea to call a medical waste disposal company or the EPA.
Common Questions
- What counts as medical waste?
- Medical waste is any waste generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of humans or animals that may be contaminated with blood, body fluids, or other infectious material — including sharps, blood-soaked dressings, cultures, and pathological tissue. Non-contaminated items like standard packaging are not regulated medical waste.
- How much does medical waste disposal cost?
- Cost depends on waste volume, pickup frequency, container size, waste type, and location. Most practices pay a flat monthly or per-pickup rate rather than being billed per pound. Typical monthly costs range from about $50-$200 for small practices and dental offices up to $1,000+ for long-term care facilities, with hospitals and large health systems running $1,000-$50,000+ per month — see our full pricing breakdown by facility type. MedPro customers also save an average of 30% by switching from their previous provider.
- Is medical waste disposal legally required?
- Yes. Any facility generating regulated medical waste must comply with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, applicable EPA/DOT rules, and their state's specific medical waste regulations, which vary by state.
- What's the difference between medical waste and biohazard waste?
- Biohazard waste is a subset of medical waste. Medical waste is the broad category (including sharps and pharmaceuticals); biohazard waste specifically refers to material containing or potentially containing infectious agents.
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