Storage Duration:
- Refrigerated Waste: Medical waste must be disposed of within 90 days if kept at or below 32°F (0°C).
- Non-Refrigerated Waste: Waste cannot be stored for more than 7 days if not refrigerated.
Pickup Schedule:
- The frequency of disposal depends on the volume of waste generated:
- Large Quantity Generators (LQG): Facilities generating more than 200 pounds of medical waste per month must arrange for frequent pickups, often weekly or bi-weekly.
- Small Quantity Generators (SQG): Facilities generating less than 200 pounds per month can schedule less frequent pickups, such as monthly or quarterly, depending on storage capacity and compliance requirements.
Common Waste Types:
Med spas typically handle:
- Sharps waste (needles, syringes)
- Biohazardous waste (blood-soaked gauze, contaminated PPE)
- Pharmaceutical waste (expired or unused medications)
Recordkeeping:
- Med spas must maintain tracking documents for all medical waste pickups.
- Records must be kept for 3 years for regulatory inspections.
Local Requirements:
- Counties and cities may have additional requirements. For instance, stricter timelines may apply for biohazardous or sharps waste disposal.
Licensed Haulers:
- Waste must be disposed of through a licensed medical waste hauler.
- Self-hauling is permissible but requires a specific limited quantity hauling exemption (LQHE) permit from local authorities.
Compliance with OSHA and DOT:
- Ensure adherence to occupational safety and transportation regulations for medical waste handling.
