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📚 Waste Segregation and Minimization for Regulated Medical Waste and Sharps

Learn how SQGs can segregate sharps and RMW from regular trash to stay compliant and cut unnecessary disposal fees.

Updated over 3 months ago

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

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