This guide provides an overview of California’s regulated medical waste (RMW) disposal requirements for Large Quantity Generators (LQGs), Small Quantity Generators (SQGs), and individual sharps users. It outlines key regulations, storage limits, disposal methods, registration requirements, and training recommendations to help healthcare facilities, businesses, and home users safely manage medical waste while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws.
California Medical Waste Definitions
According to the California Medical Waste Management Act MWMA Health and Safety Code HSC 117600-118360. Understanding these terms is essential for proper handling, storage, and disposal of medical waste in compliance with California regulations, these definitions apply.
Regulated Medical Waste (RMW)
Includes biohazardous waste, sharps waste, trace chemotherapy waste, and other infectious materials generated during medical treatment, research, or diagnostic processes.Small Quantity Generator (SQG)
Generates less than 200 lbs of medical waste per month.Large Quantity Generator (LQG)
Generates 200 lbs or more of medical waste per month.
Governing Agencies In California
The following agencies regulate and enforce medical waste management in California, ensuring safe handling, disposal, and compliance with state and federal standards.
Agency
California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Local Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA).
California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
United States Postal Service (USPS).
Role
Oversees registration and enforcement of the MWMA.
Implement CDPH regulations at the county level.
Enforces OSHA standards including Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).
Regulates household hazardous waste and sharps disposal.
Governs mail-back of medical waste under Pub 52, Section 346.
Requirements for Small Quantity Generators (SQGs)
Small Quantity Generators SQGs must follow specific requirements for registration, storage, treatment, transportation, and staff training to ensure safe and compliant management of medical waste.
Registration
Must register with CDPH or LEA as a SQG (HSC §117930).Medical Waste Management Plan
Not required to submit but must maintain on-site procedures (HSC §117935).Storage Limits
Biohazardous waste, ≤7 days at >32°F; ≤90 days refrigerated (HSC §118280).
Sharps, Dispose when 3/4 full; must be in approved sharps container (HSC §118285).
Treatment
May use registered medical waste hauler or approved mail-back system (HSC §118040).Transportation
May self-transport up to 20 lbs to a consolidation point if registered (HSC §118030).Training: OSHA BBP training required annually (29 CFR 1910.1030).
Requirements For Large Quantity Generators (LQGs)
Large Quantity Generators LQGs must comply with comprehensive requirements for registration, waste management planning, storage, treatment, transportation, recordkeeping, and staff training to ensure safe and legally compliant handling of medical waste.
Large Quantity Generators LQGs:
Registration
Must register with CDPH or LEA as an LQG (HSC §117950).Medical Waste Management Plan
Required and must be submitted (HSC §117960).Storage Limits
Biohazardous waste, ≤7 days at >32°F; ≤90 days if refrigerated (HSC §118280).
Sharps, Dispose when 3/4 full or per facility's plan (HSC §118285).
Off-site storage, ≤30 days from receipt date (HSC §118310).
Treatment
Must obtain permit to treat on-site (HSC §118130).Transportation
Must use registered medical waste hauler (HSC §118000).Recordkeeping
Maintain logs and manifests for 3 years (HSC §118040(f)).Training
OSHA BBP training required annually; keep records (29 CFR 1910.1030).
Requirements for Individual Sharps Users, Home Injection Patients.
Individual sharps users, such as home injection patients, must follow specific storage and disposal practices to safely manage sharps and remain compliant with California regulations.
Sharps Storage
Must use FDA-cleared sharps container. Dispose when 3/4 full. (CalRecycle Guidance).Disposal Methods
Use USPS-compliant mail-back system (USPS Pub 52 Sec. 346).
Or take to the collection site, pharmacy, or HHW facility (HSC §118286).
Prohibited Disposal
Illegal to place sharps in trash or recycling (HSC §118286).
Storage Time Limits Summary
The following summary provides storage time limits for biohazardous and sharps waste, indicating how long each type can be kept on-site, refrigerated, or at off-site facilities in compliance with California regulations.
Waste Type | Storage Location | Max Duration | Citation |
Biohazardous Waste | On-site (>32°F) | ≤7 days | HSC §118280(c) |
Biohazardous Waste | Refrigerated (<32°F) | ≤90 days | HSC §118280(c) |
Sharps Waste | On-site | Until 3/4 full or plan limit | HSC §118285(d) |
All Waste | Off-site storage facility | ≤30 days from receipt | HSC §118310 |
PureWay Compliance Solutions
PureWay offers practical solutions to help generators and home users safely manage medical waste while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations.
For SQGs & LQGs
State-compliant sharps and RMW mail-back systems (USPS UN3291-compliant).
On-site medical waste pickup and disposal.
Medical Waste Management Plan templates and documentation tools.
OSHA-compliant BBP training for staff.
For Home Users
FDA-cleared sharps containers.
USPS-compliant mail-back kits with prepaid return.
Discover how PureWay can simplify medical waste compliance, explore our solutions here.
Key Regulatory Sources
Stay informed on the key regulations and guidance that govern safe medical waste handling and disposal in California.
Key Regulatory Sources: