Medical waste - Tennessee

The EPA has not had regulatory authority over medical waste since the Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988 expired in 1991. Most states have since developed their own programs, resulting in significant differences for each state. A summary of this state’s requirements includes the following.

The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation regulates nonhazardous medical wastes under the solid waste rules (0400 Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 11-01). Untreated medical waste must obtain special waste approval. The regulations cover:

• 11-01-.01(2) Medical waste definitions,
• 11-01-.01(4) Special waste approval process for disposal facilities and permitted solid waste processing facilities, and
• 11-01-.04(2)(k)(4) Waste disposal restrictions.

Related information

• Medical waste RegSense

Citations

• Federal regulation 40 CFR Part 261
• Federal regulation 40 CFR Part 262
• Federal regulation 29 CFR 1910.1030
• Federal Regulation 49 CFR Subchapter C
• Rules and Regulations of the State of Tennessee Chapter 0400-11-01