Medical Waste Program

​Frequently Asked Questions

Medical Waste is generated as a result of diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals; and meets the definition of biohazardous and/or sharps waste.

Biohazardous Waste includes, but is not limited to:

  • Infectious animal parts 
  • Infectious excreta or secretions from humans
  • Laboratory waste
  • Microbiology specimens
  • Surgery specimens​
  • Waste with recognizable fluid bloodW
  • Waste comprised of pharmaceuticals
  • Waste contaminated with chemotherapeutic agents

Sharps Waste includes, but is not limited to:

  • Blades
  • Broken glass
  • Hypodermic needles
  • Hypodermic needles with syringes
  • Needles with attached tubing
  • Syringes contaminated with biohazardous waste

All businesses that produce Medical Waste are required to register with the Environmental Management Department; this includes but is not limited to:

  • Dental Offices
  • Hospitals, and Doctor's Offices
  • Veterinary and Medical Clinics

An annual fee is associated with most medical waste generator permits. Large quantity medical waste generators (over 200 lbs.​ per month), facilities with on-site treatment, and common storage facilities are subject to routine inspections. Call us at 916-875-8550 for further details.

As of September 1, 2008 a new law, SB1305, has prohibited the disposal of home generated sharps into any container used for private or commercial collection of solid waste, recyclable materials, or greenwaste. This includes roll-off containers used for the collection of solid waste, construction and demolition debris, greenwaste, or other recyclable materials. 

Sharps are now required to be placed in an approved sharps container and managed through a waste management facility, an approved home sharps collection site which could include but is not limited to pharmacies and hospitals or by using an approved mail back system.

For a list of facilities that accept sharps and pharmaceutical waste plus additional information, please visit Pharmaceutical and Sharps ​Waste​.

As of January 1, 2015, medical waste generating facilities do not need to apply for a limited quantity hauling exemption to allow their employees to transport medical waste without obtaining a medical waste hauling permit. 

Employees may transport limited quantities of medical waste under the Department of Transportation’s Materials of Trade Exemption, 49 CFR 173.6. The DOT can be reached at (202) 366-4000.​