Reducing Medical Waste

Medical Waste Reduction Requirements

The key to reducing medical wastes is source separation--that is, keeping non-infectious waste out of infectious waste containers. Source separation is required for all Wisconsin generators of infectious waste (see s. NR 526.06, Wis. Adm. Code, in the medical waste rules).

In addition, hospitals, clinics and nursing homes, with some exceptions, must write and implement plans for reducing medical waste according to ss. NR 526.16 through .22. The outline for what must be in the plan is in s. NR 526.19. For a plain language explanation of what is required, please download the publication Medical Waste Reduction and the Annual Report (PUB WA802) [PDF 63KB].

Items Which Are Required to be Recycled

Wisconsin's Recycling Law requires all businesses and institutions to recycle materials such as paper, cardboard, metals, glass, some plastics, etc. For more information about how the recycling law applies to health care, see the publications Waste Reduction and Recycling: A Guide for Health Care (PUB WA1150) [PDF 97KB] and Wisconsin's Waste Reduction and Recycling Program (PUB WA422) [PDF 2.5MB]

Ways to Reduce Medical Waste

Here are some simple ideas that can keep non-infectious waste out of infectious waste containers:

• Provide proper containers for all wastes that might be generated in a room.
• Put signs on all waste containers stating what can and cannot be put in them.
• Keep infectious waste containers away from sinks to keep paper towels out.
• Remove infectious waste containers from public areas, label them "For staff use only" and have only small infectious waste bags available in the cabinets of patients' rooms.
• Train employees at least annually about what is and is not infectious waste.
• Visually inspect waste containers often and correct mistakes.

For ideas about reducing other health care wastes, see below.

More Information

Related Links

• Review What is Infectious Waste? Explains the difference between "infectious" and "medical" waste.
• Review Definitions of Terms (PUB WA820) [PDF 58KB]
• Waste Reduction and Recycling: A Guide for Healthcare (PUB WA1150) [PDF 97KB] - How Wisconsin's recycling law applies to health care.
• William S. Middleton Memorial Hospital: A Pollution Prevention Case Study on Reducing Suction Container Waste (PUB CO082) [PDF 108KB]
• Wisconsin Recycling Markets Directory

Related Sites

These Web sites can help you manage and reduce many types of waste including mercury and other toxics in health care. Please note that inclusion in this list does not imply that the information offered is consistent with Wisconsin law or regulations.

Health Care-specific Resources

• Practice Greenhealth (formerly Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E)) [exit DNR] - Helps health care providers enhance workplace safety, reduce waste and waste disposal costs and become better environmental stewards and neighbors. The Web site includes an awards program, an e-mail discussion group and many helpful resources. Publications include the "10 Step Guide for Regulated Medical Waste Reduction."
• Hospital Waste Reduction Checklist [exit DNR] - From the University of Wisconsin-Extension Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center (SHWEC). Click on "publications." Search for the keyword "hospital."
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Healthcare Environmental Resource Center [exit DNR] - Pollution prevention and compliance assistance information for the health care sector. Click on "Waste Reduction."
• Greening the Red-Bag Waste Stream - Successful Interventions to Reduce Medical Waste Generation in California Hospitals [PDF 235KB, exit DNR]
• Health Care Without Harm: The Campaign for Environmentally Responsible Health Care [exit DNR]. Alternatives to products containing mercury, DEHP and PVC. Healthy food. Links to many waste-related Web sites.
• Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) [exit DNR] health care pages.
• Pollution Solutions: Health Care Facilities [exit DNR] - From University of Missouri Extension. Specific waste reduction recommendations for health care facilities and all types of businesses.
• Waste Reduction Activities for Hospitals [exit DNR] - Waste reduction activities for hospitals, provided by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
• Wisconsin Be SMART Coalition [exit DNR] - Waste reduction ideas for dental, veterinary and medical clinics and other businesses, compiled by the Wisconsin Be SMART Coalition, a partnership of local communities, state agencies, non-profit and environmental organizations, and businesses dedicated to reducing waste and fostering sustainability in Wisconsin.

General Recycling and Waste Reduction Resources

• Business Materials Exchange (BMEX) [exit DNR] - Matches available materials to potential users. Located in Wisconsin.
• P2Gems [exit DNR] - The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) Internet search tool for all types of pollution prevention.
• Recycler's World [exit DNR] - Recovery and recycling of wastes such as batteries, mercury, fluorescent tubes, glass, plastics, chemicals and computers.
• U.S. EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Pollution Prevention [exit DNR] - Pollution prevention policies, grants and funding, contacts, tools, and more.
• WasteCap Wisconsin [exit DNR] - Transforming waste into resources.

Contact Information

For questions and comments about reducing medical waste, please contact:

DNR Medical Waste@Wisconsin.gov