Packaging Medical Waste and Medical Waste Disposal

September 15, 2025

Packaging Medical Waste and Medical Waste Disposal

Proper disposal of regulated medical waste (RMW) involves far more than simply placing soiled materials into designated containers. Organizations that generate biohazardous, potentially infectious, or regulated medical waste must be aware of their responsibilities, as a generator, to properly classify their waste. Once the waste has been characterized, the generator needs to know how to properly package it for pickup and transportation. Doing so is essential to ensure staff, patient, and environmental safety while remaining compliant with required federal, state, and local regulations.

While state agencies might use similar terms for RMW, such as biohazardous waste, biomedical, infectious, or something similar, their regulations specifically define what qualifies as RMW. Generally, this is any waste known or reasonably expected to contain pathogens. In simple terms, RMW includes items saturated with liquid or semi-liquid blood or other substances that could transmit disease to humans. There are also federal (and some state) requirements for the proper transportation of RMW, which may be defined more broadly than just infectious waste from a transportation perspective. In addition, since RMW is regulated by the states, there may be state-specific requirements pertaining to RMW collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal that may need to be followed.

To help your organization maintain safety and compliance, here are five general steps for properly packaging RMW:

Step 1: Choose the Correct Container

Organizations should use appropriate containers for the waste being disposed. These might include corrugated boxes or specially designed reusable containers (refer to applicable federal, state, or local regulations for specific requirements). For corrugated boxes, follow the manufacturer's instructions, such as sealing the bottom flaps with at least 2-inch wide, clear packing tape. Containers should have clear labels and directional arrows to show the top and bottom of the receptacle.

Step 2: Line the Medical Waste Container with the Correct Bag

RMW bag colors might vary by waste stream according to state and federal regulations. Place the appropriate biohazardous waste bag inside the container and follow the container use instructions, as applicable.

Step 3: Place Only Approved Waste in the Lined Container

Only RMW should be placed in these containers. Since definitions may vary by state, it's important to know what qualifies as RMW in your area and what can go in the container.

Always follow your waste vendor's acceptance policy. For example, as per Stericycle's Waste Acceptance Policy items such as medications, loose needles, scalpels, general trash, and other items listed as non-conforming waste cannot be disposed of in a waste container designated for RMW. Sharps must be discarded into an appropriate FDA-approved, sealed, puncture-resistant container, while pharmaceutical waste may need to be placed in its own designated, color-coded receptacle or commingled with the sharps in an appropriate container. Stericycle's Waste Acceptance Policy, as well as some state regulations, requires trace chemotherapy waste and pathological waste be segregated for disposal via incineration.

Check the container's maximum gross weight. Waste management partners, including Stericycle, have established weight limits for the safe handling of containers. To ensure acceptable lifting conditions and proper disposal, please refer to your vendor's requirements and avoid overfilling containers.

Step 4: Tie the Bag and Seal the Container Properly

Staff must secure containers when the bag is full, leaving room at the top for proper closure. While following your organization's safety and/or handling policy, gather the bag edges and twist the top of the bag to seal the contents. Then, they should make a strong, hand-tied single or gooseneck knot to prevent any leakage. A zip tie or tape can also be used to secure the knot.

After securing the bag, staff must seal the transport container. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's (or your waste provider's) instructions. Some containers may require the engagement of auto-locking flaps or securing of the lid, depending on the receptacle design. For corrugated boxes, follow the closure instructions that may include sealing the top of the box with appropriate packing tape, or closing the interlocking lid.

Closed red bags should not be visible once the outer container is closed and sealed. Improperly packaged waste or damaged receptacles may be denied pickup by the service provider or returned to the healthcare organization.

Step 5: Prepare the Waste for Pickup

Ensure each box has the appropriate labels required by federal, state, and local laws. Labels may need to include waste-hauler barcodes or other identifying information. Consider working with a provider like Stericycle, which supplies compliant labels as part of their service.

Step 6: Train Staff on RMW Handling

Staff members who work in areas that generate RMW should receive training on how to properly handle and dispose of various healthcare-generated waste materials. Training topics typically include item segregation, correct packaging procedures, and the risks associated with improper RMW management. If employees have reasonably anticipated exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials in the course of their job duties, then OSHA bloodborne pathogens training is required initially and annually thereafter. Similarly, staff responsible for preparing RMW for shipment, or signing shipping paperwork, must receive Department of Transportation (DOT) training within 90 days of initial job assignment and every three years thereafter.

Stericycle offers trainings and resources with our SteriSafe^® solutions. Depending on the service offering selected, staff can access online modules at their convenience, and training is documented once completed.

Learn more about how Stericycle can help you maintain a safe and compliant RMW program.

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