Medical waste - Washington

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.

Biomedical waste is generally regulated at the local level in the State of Washington. However, Washington’s statutory requirements (70A RCW 228) establish a statewide definition of biomedical waste that must be used by all local regulations. The statutory requirements cover:

• 228.020 Definitions,
• 228.030 Waste treatment technologies,
• 228.040 Residential sharps, and
• 228.050 Residential sharps waste collection.

Multiple state departments include limited regulations of biomedical waste:

• The Washington State Department of Ecology regulations (173-300) cover:
  • 020 Definitions, and
  • 180 Incineration of biomedical or medical waste.
• The Washington State Department of Health regulations (246-329-160(12)) cover birth center waste requirements; and
• The Washing Utilities and Transportation Commission regulations (480 WAC 70) cover:
  • 041 Definitions,
  • 181 Biomedical waste public liability and property damage insurance,
  • 431 Biomedical waste adoption of federal regulations
  • 436 Biomedical waste operational requirements,
  • 441 Biomedical waste training requirements,
  • 446 Biomedical waste cooperative agreements,
  • 451 Biomedical waste packaging and containment,
  • 456 Biomedical waste transfer to off-site treatment and disposal facilities,
  • 461 Biomedical waste compaction not allowed,
  • 466 Biomedical waste vehicle requirements,
  • 471 Biomedical waste shipping-paper requirements, and
  • 476 Biomedical waste inspections.

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
• Revised Code of Washington Chapter 70A.228
• Washington Administrative Code Chapter 173-300
• Washington Administrative Code Section 246-329-120(12)
• Washington Administrative Code Chapter 480-70