When people think of biohazard waste collection bags, they almost certainly think of a red bag with the biohazard symbol on it, and for good reason.
In This Article
The Classic Color
While most people believe biohazard bags have to be red, this actually isn’t always the case. OSHA states in a
response to a 1995 letter
that biohazard disposal bags must include “the "Biohazard" symbol and legend, as illustrated in the standard, and they are "fluorescent orange or orange-red, or predominantly so, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color."”
So if bio-bags can also be fluorescent orange, why are they more often than not red?
Well, it’s hard to say with 100% confidence why red became the go to color, there are a few reasons people use red colored bags today.
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Red Bags in Hospitals
Hospitals all around the world use their own color coordinating for many things. Some hospitals use blue bags for soiled linens, some use white, some hospitals use orange bags for biohazard waste, some use red.
However, red bags are more commonly used as the color red is associated with danger, and nurses/other health care staff must be able to quickly and accurately choose which container to put their trash in.
State Specific Regulations
Some states, such as California, actually require you only use red bags for storage and transportation of
biohazardous waste
as stated in the Health and Safety Code Section 117630 (C).
No matter the state, every bag has to be rigid enough to hold waste without tearing, it must be leak proof, and in more states than not, must be red. Because of this, most bio-bag manufacturers only make red biohazard bags.
Common Questions
- What is considered biohazard waste?
- Biohazard waste is any waste contaminated with blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials that could transmit disease. OSHA's definition covers liquid or semi-liquid blood; items that would release blood if compressed or are caked with dried blood that could flake off; contaminated sharps; and pathological and microbiological wastes. Common examples include saturated gauze, contaminated PPE, suction canisters, cultures, needles, and surgical tissue.
- What's the difference between biohazard waste and medical waste?
- Biohazard waste is a subset of medical waste. Medical waste is the broad category that can include pharmaceuticals and chemicals; biohazard waste specifically refers to material that contains or may contain infectious agents. For the broader category, see our medical waste disposal guide.
- What color are biohazard bags and labels?
- OSHA requires biohazard labels to be fluorescent orange or orange-red, with the biohazard symbol and the word “BIOHAZARD” in a contrasting color. Red bags or red containers may be used instead of labels, which is why biohazard waste is often called “red bag” waste.
- How much does biohazard waste disposal cost?
- Cost depends on waste volume, pickup frequency, container size, waste type, and location; pathological and pharmaceutical waste generally cost more to treat than standard biohazard waste. MedPro customers save an average of 30% versus their previous provider — request a free quote for pricing specific to your facility.
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