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📦 Storage Limitations by State for SQG and LQG Generators of Sharps and Biohazardous Waste

Explore each state's SQG/LQG definitions and max storage times for sharps and biohazardous waste.

Updated over 2 months ago

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

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