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At least three separate sets of government regulations (including state and federal) regulate the packaging of regulated waste. Each state in America, according to its medical waste management Pompano Beach requirements, has different rules for packaging regulated waste. However, it’s still quite possible to offer a general guideline, albeit not detailed rules, for every state and every medical waste item that has to be packaged and disposed of.

Regulated waste packaging is, of course a serious business, and errors are not tolerated here. To be sure with this, you should always contact an expert in medical waste management (I’ve found several good MWM experts here in Pompano Beach, Florida).

What will You Need?

You will, of course, need a couple of items, including documents, if you intend to commercially package regulated waste. Do not start without these:

  • Medical waste management guides for your state or municipality
  • 29 CFR 1910.1030. This is provided by the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • 49 CFR, subtitle B, Chapter 1, sub-chapter C, provided by the DoT (Department of Transportation
  • Packaging materials, such as red waste bags, sharps containers, packaging tape, pick-up containers, markers, etc.

Okay, let’s get started, shall we?

Before you ask “do I really need ALL of these documents and items?”, yes, you absolutely do need ALL of these documents and items to package regulated waste yourself commercially. Unless, of course, you want to pay a fine, which can be anywhere from $250 to $50,000 (gulp!). And, if your improper and irresponsible medical waste management practice regarding packaging regulated waste causes someone to die, then the fine will go up to $100,000. Not to mention the possibility of losing your license and going to jail.

So, yes, you really do need to get all of these items before you can even begin to think about packaging regulated waste commercially.

If you want to package regulated waste at home, however, then the situation is a little less complicated. Sure, there are some strict rules and regulations that you have to follow here as well, but not as much as with commercial packaging. Basically, when packaging regulated waste at home, you should still do so with care, but at least you won’t have to worry about hefty fines (although there are some). Just use your common sense and you’ll be okay.

So-called “sharps waste” (i.e. needles, razor blades, scalpels and any other sharp item) needs to be put in the sharps container. You can purchase these from the local pharmacy, medical supply store or even online, but I personally prefer to get mine from certified medical waste management companies. I get containers from a MWM company in Florida, which also works in Pompano Beach.

Medical waste liquids, such as blood, blood products or other bodily fluids (semen, urine, feces, vomit, saliva,,,) are disposed via the sewers. The exception is when they come from a patient that has a transmittable disease.

Most other regulated waste can go in standard waste bags, unless they are infected, in which case, they need to be put in red bio-hazard waste bags.

Finally, never let an untrained and unprofessional person handle regulated waste. If you don’t have anyone in you facility that knows how to properly do this, contact a licensed medical waste management company and ask them for help.