Information for Medical Waste Generators

On this page:

• Categories of Generators
• Storing On-site
• Treating On-site
• Licensed Hospitals Functioning as Collection and Transfer Facilities
• Transporting
• Disposing
• Contact MSW Permits Section

Medical waste generators are classified into two categories:

• Small Quantity Generator (SQG)—produces 50 pounds or less per month of medical waste; and
• Large Quantity Generator (LQG)—produces more than 50 pounds per month of medical waste.

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Storing On-Site

SQGs and LQGs are exempt from permit, registration, notification, or other authorization to store medical waste on-site, provided the waste consists only of medical waste generated on-site that is stored securely, and does not create a nuisance [30 TAC 326.31(a) ].

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Treating On-Site

Information for generators that treat medical waste generated on-site at the generator’s site with either a fixed treatment unit or a mobile treatment unit.

Treatment On-Site by the Generator

If you are a generator of medical waste and want to treat your own waste on-site, you must submit a notification to the TCEQ. In the notification provide the information requested, and follow the other requirements in the rule for each type of generator:

• Rule for SQG — 30 TAC 326.39
• Rule for LQG — 30 TAC 326.41

Notification of On-site Treatment of Medical Waste - Form TCEQ-20788

Indicate in the notification that you will:

• Use an approved treatment method as required by 25 TAC 1.136 ,
• Dispose of the treated medical waste under 30 TAC 326.39(c) or 326.41(c) as applicable, and
• Maintain records of the treatment process as required by 30 TAC 326.39 and 326.41 .

Treatment On-site by a Mobile On-site Unit

You may also have your untreated medical waste treated on-site in a registered mobile treatment unit operated and owned by a person who is not the generator of the waste.

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Licensed Hospitals Functioning as Collection and Transfer Facilities

A licensed hospital may function as a medical waste collection and transfer facility for SQGs, under the provisions of 30 TAC 326.43 . SQGs must transport their own waste to the collection station. The hospital must be located either:

• In an incorporated area with a population of less than 25,000 and in a county with a population of less than one million; or
• In an unincorporated area that is not within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a city with a population more than 25,000 or within a county with a population of more than one million.

The hospital must provide written notification in the form of a letter of the operation as a medical waste collection station. The letter must contained the information required by 30 TAC 326.43 , and acknowledge that the hospital will:

• Package all waste received by the medical waste collection station (excluding sharps) per 30 TAC 326.17 , 326.19 and 326.21
• Store the waste in a secure manner and location, protected from theft, vandalism, inadvertent human or animal exposure, rain, water and wind
• Manage the waste as not to create nuisances
• Maintain at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less any putrescible or untreated medical waste stored for longer than 72 hours after collection
• Release medical waste only to a registered medical waste transporter, provide a list of the waste, and include the identity of the generator
• Not treat any waste collected at the collection station facility unless the facility is authorized to treat the waste

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Transporting

Visit our Transporting Medical Waste page for information about transport options and manifesting requirements.

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Disposing

Visit our Disposing of Medical Waste page for information about disposal requirements.

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Contact MSW Permits Section

Contact the MSW Permits Section if you have questions about managing medical waste.

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