Regulated Medical Waste Management
On-site Treatment and Disposal

Most states require that RMW be treated before disposal and most states allow on-site treatment.⁷ The most common on-site treatment methods include (1) steam sterilization (autoclaving), (2) microwave sterilization, (3) chemical disinfection, and (4) sewer discharge for liquid RMW. Some states require permits for any type of on-site treatment. Other states leave it up to the generator to select a treatment method based on current best practices.⁷

If only a small amount of RMW is generated, with the exception of sharps, it may be conveniently treated on-site by steam-sterilization (Table 5). Once decontaminated, it is no longer considered infectious waste.⁴ In some states, it may be disposed of with ordinary office waste. However, other states require that the treated RMW remain segregated and that a written notice must accompany the treated waste to its disposal location.¹⁷

Current guidelines for most healthcare clinical/research facilities working with infectious microorganisms recommend on-site decontamination by a known effective method to reduce the potential of exposure during the handling of infectious material. The OMWM can consult the State-by-State Regulated Medical Waste Resource Locator to identify acceptable methods for inactivating amplified stocks and cultures of microorganisms before disposal.⁷