Infectious Waste

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Regulated Infectious Waste

According the North Dakota Solid Waste Management Rules, "Infectious Waste" means solid waste that may contain pathogens with sufficient virulence and in sufficient quantity that exposure of a susceptible human or animal to the solid waste could cause the human or animal to contract an infectious disease. Regulated Infectious Waste includes but is not limited to:

Human blood and Blood Products

Cultures and Stocks

Pathological Waste

Sharps

Animal Waste

Isolation Waste

Unused Sharps

Regulated Infectious Waste can be generated from hospitals, intermediate care facilities, clinics, physician offices, dental offices, laboratories, research facilities, veterinarians, funeral homes and households. Infectious waste generators are responsible for the storage, collection and disposal of their infectious waste. Generators are responsible for ensuring that infectious waste is transported off-site for treatment by a permitted transporter and disposed of at a site or facility which approved to receive waste. Note: If you transport your own waste to an infectious waste management facility, a transporter permit is not required.

A Guide to Understanding North Dakota's Infectious Waste Regulations

Management Requirements

Households

Household waste containing regulated infectious waste in amounts normally found in household waste may be disposed of at a permitted municipal waste landfill. Home healthcare waste (bloodied bandages, IV bags, etc.) should be double bagged and placed in your garbage.

Needles and syringes should be placed in heavy plastic containers (i.e., laundry detergent containers) not 2-liter pop bottles. The container should be labeled "Sharps". When full the containers should be taped shut and placed in your garbage. Do not recycle the full plastic containers. There are several mail-back sharps disposal programs available. Listed below are a few companies offering these services (the Department does not endorse any specific company or suggest that the companies are in compliance with applicable laws):

Waste Management - Sharps Compliance

GRP - Mail-back Sharps Disposal

BD Diabetes - Sharps Disposal By Mail

Listed below are some additional documents on the proper disposal of sharps:

Handle With Care - How to Throw Out Used Insulin Syringes and Lancets at Home

Protect Yourself, Protect Others: Safe Options for Home Needle Disposal

Household wastes also contain medications that, in the past, have been disposed of by flushing them down the toilet. In response to increasing concentrations of pharmaceuticals, hormones and other organic wastewater contaminates found in the rivers and streams across the nation. Various agencies (the Office of National Drug Control policy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the American Pharmacists Association) and this Department no longer encourages this practice.

Under a new law in North Dakota, consumers can return their unused prescription drugs to pharmacists or clinics so they can be given to someone else who can use them. A drug donated under the program must be in the original, unopened package, except drugs packaged in single-unit doses, or punch cards, may be accepted and dispensed if the outside packaging has been opened and the single-unit dose package is unopened. A nominal fee may be charged. For more information on the program go to the North Dakota Board of Pharmacy web site and click on the Prescription Drug Repository Program link.

If you have medications that cannot be returned, we now recommend they be disposed of in the trash. However, there are some steps you should take to prevent ingestion by pets, children or others, and protect your identity. Remove the label or scratch your name off the label. Make the drugs unusable or undesirable. If liquid, mix with coffee grounds, kitty litter, salt, flour or charcoal and place in a leak-proof, nondescript container (empty coffee can, detergent bottle, sealable bag) and tape shut. Then place in your garbage. If solid, add a small amount of water or vinegar to partially dissolve them. Again place them in a leak-proof, nondescript container and tape shut. If the medications are in a blister pack, wrap the blister packages together in multiple layers of duct tape or other tape, then toss in the garbage.

Listed below are links to various sites regarding proper medication disposal:

American Pharmacists Association News Release - Guidance On Proper Medication Disposal

Office Of National Drug Control Policy - Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs

US Fish & Wildlife Service News Release - Improper Disposal Of Unused Medication Sparks Creation Of New Awareness Program

New Hampshire Department Of Environmental Services Fact Sheet - Emptying The Medicine Cabinet Disposal Guidelines For Pharmaceuticals And Personal Care Products

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Fact Sheet - Pharmaceutical Waste: Disposing Of Unwanted Medications

Hospitals, Clinics, Labs, Nursing Homes, etc.

Generators of regulated infectious waste should separate it from other wastes. Infectious waste should be placed in distinctive containers (such as red bags) which do not leak and are puncture

and tear resistant. The containers should also be labeled with the universal biohazard symbol and the word biohazard. You should also include the words infectious waste or medical waste. Listed below are the Regulated Infectious Waste regulations, infectious waste transporters and infectious waste management facilities to assist you in the proper management of regulated infectious waste:

ND Solid Waste Management Rules - Regulated Infectious Waste

Infectious Waste Transporters

Infectious Waste Treatment/Disposal Facilities

Healthcare facilities are also required to manage their pharmaceuticals properly. Most facilities use a Reverse Distributor to manage their outdated pharmaceuticals. However, those pharmaceuticals that cannot be managed in that manner, such as outdated but not returnable for credit; used in compounding or IV preparation; spilled or broken product no longer useable for its intended purpose; and any items used in cleaning up a spill (vermiculite, paper towels, etc.) must be characterized as either hazardous or non-hazardous waste and managed properly. The North Dakota Hazardous Waste Compliance Guide can assist you in determining if your waste pharmaceuticals are hazardous waste or not.

Listed below are links to various sites regarding disposal of pharmaceuticals from healthcare facilities:

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Health Care Industry

Hospitals For A Healthy Environment - Pharmaceutical Wastes In Health Care Facilities

Healthcare Environmental Resource Center - Pollution Prevention And Compliance Assistance Information For The Healthcare Industry

Great Lakes Regional Pollution Prevention Roundtable Sector Resource: Managing Pharmaceutical Waste