Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) can significantly reduce disposal costs and improve regulatory compliance by segregating regulated medical waste (RMW) and sharps waste from general solid waste.
Effective segregation ensures only materials meeting the criteria for RMW are disposed of as such, minimizing volume and associated handling risks.
📗 Essential Waste Segregation Steps for Small Quantity Generators
1. Identify What Qualifies as Regulated Medical Waste
According to OSHA and state-specific definitions, RMW typically includes:
Items saturated or caked with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)
Sharps (e.g., needles, scalpels), whether used or unused
Cultures, stocks, or microbiological wastes
Pathological and anatomical waste (in some states)
2. Appropriate Sharps Waste Disposal
Sharps must always be disposed of in FDA-cleared, puncture-resistant sharps containers.
Do not place sharps in regular trash or biohazard bags—even if unused.
3. Items That Can Go in the Regular Trash
These everyday items can be disposed of in the municipal solid waste stream if they are not visibly contaminated or saturated:
Gloves, masks, and gowns not soaked in blood or OPIM
IV bags, tubing, and packaging without visible contamination
Disposable instruments or items that were not used on patients
Non-contaminated dressings, gauze, or wipes
❗Note
When in doubt, check state-specific definitions of “saturation” and follow OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).
4. Best Practices for Waste Minimization
Train staff on segregation criteria and visual indicators of contamination.
Keep clear signage on and around waste containers.
Use color-coded bins (e.g., red for biohazard, clear/black for general waste).
Perform periodic audits to correct misclassification and reduce over-disposal.
5. PureWay Solutions to Support Compliance
PureWay offers:
Mail-back and pickup programs tailored for SQGs
Training modules to educate staff on RMW segregation
OSHA compliance tools and signage packages
Sharps containers and smart collection systems to streamline segregation