U.S. state's definitions for Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) and Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) of medical waste, along with the maximum on-site storage durations for both sharps and biohazardous (regulated medical) waste for each category.
Please note that while some states have explicit definitions and timeframes, others may not differentiate between SQGs and LQGs or may not specify storage durations.
📚 Medical Waste Storage Requirements by State
State | SQG Definition | LQG Definition | Sharps Storage Duration (SQG) | Sharps Storage Duration (LQG) | Biohazardous Waste Storage Duration (SQG) | Biohazardous Waste Storage Duration (LQG) |
Alabama | ≤220 lbs/month | >220 lbs/month | 7 days unrefrigerated; up to 30 days if refrigerated | 7 days unrefrigerated; up to 30 days if refrigerated | 7 days unrefrigerated; up to 30 days if refrigerated | 7 days unrefrigerated; up to 30 days if refrigerated |
Alaska | Not specified | Not specified | 7 days if unrefrigerated; longer if refrigerated | 7 days if unrefrigerated; longer if refrigerated | 7 days if unrefrigerated; longer if refrigerated | 7 days if unrefrigerated; longer if refrigerated |
Arizona | Not specified | Not specified | 7 days if unrefrigerated; longer if refrigerated | 7 days if unrefrigerated; longer if refrigerated | 7 days if unrefrigerated; longer if refrigerated | 7 days if unrefrigerated; longer if refrigerated |
Arkansas | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
California | <200 lbs/month | ≥200 lbs/month | Indefinitely until container is full and sealed | Indefinitely until container is full and sealed | 30 days from the date of generation | 30 days from the date of generation |
Colorado | Not specified | Not specified | 30 days unrefrigerated; up to 90 days if refrigerated | 30 days unrefrigerated; up to 90 days if refrigerated | 30 days unrefrigerated; up to 90 days if refrigerated | 30 days unrefrigerated; up to 90 days if refrigerated |
Connecticut | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; must meet packaging & handling standards | No specific duration; must meet packaging & handling standards | No specific duration; must meet packaging & handling standards | No specific duration; must meet packaging & handling standards |
Delaware | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
Florida | <25 lbs/month | ≥25 lbs/month | 30 days maximum on-site storage | 30 days maximum on-site storage | 30 days maximum on-site storage | 30 days maximum on-site storage |
Georgia | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
Hawaii | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
Idaho | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
Illinois | Not specified; 50 lbs/month is a key threshold | >50 lbs/month | 30 days maximum on-site storage | 30 days maximum on-site storage | 30 days maximum on-site storage | 30 days maximum on-site storage |
Indiana | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
Iowa | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
Kansas | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
Kentucky | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
Louisiana | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
Maine | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
Maryland | Not specified | Not specified | 7 days unrefrigerated; up to 30 days if refrigerated | 7 days unrefrigerated; up to 30 days if refrigerated | 7 days unrefrigerated; up to 30 days if refrigerated | 7 days unrefrigerated; up to 30 days if refrigerated |
Massachusetts | <50 lbs/month | ≥50 lbs/month | No specific duration; must adhere to state storage standards | No specific duration; must adhere to state storage standards | No specific duration; must adhere to state storage standards | No specific duration; must adhere to state storage standards |
Michigan | Not specified | Not specified | 90 days maximum on-site storage | 90 days maximum on-site storage | 90 days maximum on-site storage | 90 days maximum on-site storage |
Minnesota | Not specified | Not specified | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices | No specific duration; follow general safe storage practices |
Mississippi | Not specified | Not specified | 7 days at room temperature; up to 90 days if frozen | 7 days at room temperature; up to 90 days if frozen | 7 days at room temperature; up to 90 days if frozen | 7 days at room temperature; up to 90 days |