Section 300. Methods of treatment and disposal

Article 6. Treatment and Disposal

A. All regulated medical waste must be incinerated, sterilized by steam, or treated by a method as described in Part VII (9VAC20-120-520 et seq.), VIII (9VAC20-120-580 et seq.), or IX (9VAC20-120-630 et seq.) of this chapter.

B. No regulated medical waste shall be disposed of in a solid waste landfill or other solid waste management facility. Upon authorized treatment and management in accord with this chapter, the solid waste or its ash is not regulated medical waste and may be disposed of at any landfill or other solid waste management facility permitted to receive municipal solid waste or garbage, provided the disposal is in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Regulations, 9VAC20-81, and other applicable regulations and standards.

C. Regulated medical waste in closed bags or containers shall not be compacted or subjected to violent mechanical stress; however, after it is fully treated and it is no longer regulated medical waste, it may be compacted in a closed container. Nothing in this section shall prevent the puncturing of containers or packaging immediately prior to permitted treatment in which grinding, shredding, or puncturing is integral to the process units; however, all grinding, shredding and puncturing shall be done with safe and sanitary methods. Nothing in this section shall prevent the use of devices that grind, shred or compact to reduce volume at the point of generation. Devices will be constructed in a manner that prevents employee exposure to the waste, contains any aerosol or mist that may be caused by the process, and treats or filters any air evacuated from the chamber during processing. These devices may be employed at the point of generation and prior to enclosing the regulated medical waste in plastic bags and other required packaging; however, the waste remains regulated medical waste. Appropriate means must be employed to appropriately protect workers and contain the waste when unloading regulated medical wastes from such a device.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR672-40-01:1 § 4.15, eff. June 29, 1994; amended, Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. June 19, 2002; Volume 27, Issue 22, eff. August 3, 2011.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1402 of the Code of Virginia.