COVID-19: Waste Disposal Guidance

Medical Waste Transportation, Treatment, and Disposal

Under the State Biological Hazards Annex, TCEQ is responsible for providing technical and regulatory guidance regarding authorized medical waste transporters, disposal facilities, and waste incinerators—plus provide local jurisdiction(s) with a list of authorized medical waste transporters, disposal facilities, and waste incinerators. Please see the guidance and documents below.

COVID-19 Medical Waste Classification

COVID-19 medical wastes should be handled as Regulated Medical Waste (49 CFR 173.134 and 30 TAC Chapter 326, Subchapter B), just like the medical waste from seasonal flu patients. See TCEQ’s regulatory guidance on disposal of COVID 19 medical waste .

• This would include Waste or reusable material derived from the medical treatment of a human or animal, which includes diagnosis and immunization materials, or from biological medical research, which includes the production and testing of biological products (for example disposable materials saturated with blood or body fluids, laboratory specimens, sharps, etc).
• What about waste from quarantined patients not yet diagnosed, or suspected cases? If the waste is generated from a health-care related facility it should be handled as regulated medical waste. If the waste is generated outside a health-care facility, such as at a residence or business then TCEQ would defer to CDC and Texas DSHS guidance and recommendations.

Transporting COVID-19 Regulated Medical Waste

Regulated medical waste can be transported with other medical waste. Health-care facilities and generators of medical waste generally use standard medical waste plastic bags (red) in a rigid waste receptacle designed for this use. The waste container should be properly labeled to identify it as medical waste. Labels should reflect the generator name, address, and date of shipment (USDOT and OSHA labeling requirements also apply). Specific details about packaging and labeling requirements can be found in 30 TAC Chapter 326.17-21. Untreated medical waste is generally transported in refrigerated box trucks.

• The TCEQ recommends using rigid containers to minimize cutting into the containers and not recycling containers—use one-time use containers.
• Texas has 100 authorized regulated medical waste transporters. See TCEQ list of regulated medical waste transporters and treaters .
  

Treating COVID-19 Regulated Medical Waste

Regulated medical waste can be treated just like other medical waste using steam-sterilization (autoclaving), incineration, or an alternative method (such as using chemicals). Treatment can be done by a generator who treats medical waste on-site, mobile treatment units, or off-site treatment facilities.

• Texas has 15 authorized active regulated medical waste treatment facilities, along with 3 authorized mobile on-site treatment units. See TCEQ’s list of medical waste treatment facilities .

Managing Used COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits

Used rapid test kits should be handled as regulated medical waste. They should be stored separately from regular garbage in rigid containers that are leak resistant, impervious to moisture, and strong enough to prevent tearing or bursting from handling.

Generators who administer the test on-site and dispose of 50 pounds or less of used tests per month may transport their own medical waste to an authorized disposal facility . If the quantity is greater than 50 pounds per month, the generator will need to use a registered transporter or obtain a medical waste transporter registration.

Businesses that collect and store used tests from the public not generated on-site, may be required to obtain an authorization with TCEQ. Please contact the MSW Permits Section if you have questions about registration requirements.

Schools administering rapid COVID-19 tests may be allowed to transport their own used tests even if the quantity is greater than 50 pounds per month. Please see the TCEQ Disposal Guidance for COVID-19 Rapid Testing Kits from Schools