Transporting Medical Waste
Links to and information about packaging, labeling, and shipping requirements for transporting medical waste, and related recordkeeping and reporting for medical waste generators and transporters.
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Transporting Treated Medical Waste
Treated medical waste may often be managed and disposed of as routine municipal solid waste provided that the following requirements are met:
- Treatment Requirements: Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Subsections 326.39(a) , 326.41(a) , and 326.71(j)
- Labeling and Other Requirements: 30 TAC Chapter 326, Subchapter B , and 30 TAC 326.23(e) , 326.39(c), 326.41(c) , and 326.75(r) .
Back to topTransporting Untreated Medical Waste
The generator of waste, or an authorized transporter other than the generator may transport untreated medical waste. It may be stored, processed or deposited only at a facility that has been authorized to accept untreated medical waste.
Untreated medical waste transported out of the state must be deposited at a facility authorized by the appropriate agency with jurisdiction over such waste (30 TAC 326.23(f) ).
Self-Transport by a Generator
Small Quantity Generators (SQGs): If you generate 50 pounds or less per month of untreated medical waste you are exempted from a permit, registration, notification, or other authorization to self-transport medical waste under 30 TAC 326.31(b) . You may transport your own untreated waste that you have generated to an authorized medical waste collection station, transfer station, storage facility, or processing facility.
Large Quantity Generators (LQGs): If you generate more than 50 pounds of untreated medical waste you must obtain a registration by rule under 30 TAC 326.53. You may also transport your own untreated waste that you have generated to an authorized transfer station, storage facility, or processing facility.
Both small and large quantity generators must initiate and maintain a record of each waste shipment collection and deposition in the form of a manifest or other similar documentation, containing the information required by 30 TAC 326.53(b)(8), (9) and (10).
Transport by a Person other than the Generator
If you generate untreated medical waste, you may use an authorized transporter under 30 TAC 326.53 to ship it. The transporter must obtain a registration by rule, and initiate and maintain a record of each waste shipment collection and deposition in the form of a manifest or other similar documentation, containing the information required by 30 TAC 326.53(b)(8), (9) and (10).
Transporting by U.S. Postal Service or Equivalent Delivery Service
You do not need authorization to transport untreated medical waste using the United States Postal Service or an equivalent delivery service per the mailing standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual, under 30 TAC 326.31(d) .
Interstate Transportation
If you transport waste that does not originate or terminate in Texas, you are exempt from the medical waste rules in 30 TAC Chapter 326, (per [30 TAC 326.31(e) and 326.53(b)(16) ] except the rules on transportation units used to collect or transport untreated medical waste [30 TAC 326.53(b)(6) ].
If you transport untreated medical waste from Texas to other states or countries or from other states or countries to Texas, or collect or transport waste in Texas but have a principal place of business in another state, you must comply with all applicable requirements in 30 TAC Chapter 326 for such transportation activities.[Per 30 TAC 326.23(g) ]. If you also engage in any activity of storage, processing, or disposal of medical waste in Texas, you must follow the applicable requirements for facility operators of such activities.
Contact MSW Permits Section
Contact the MSW Permits Section if you have questions about managing medical waste.