Medical Waste Disposal in New York

Clean Waste Medical coordinates compliant regulated medical waste, sharps and pharmaceutical waste pickup for healthcare facilities across New York. Scheduled or on-call service, compliant containers and a manifest for every collection.

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Medical waste rules in New York

New York regulates regulated medical waste (RMW) through two agencies. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) covers most generators, including physician, dental and veterinary practices, under 6 NYCRR Part 365; hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic and treatment centers and clinical laboratories are regulated by the Department of Health under 10 NYCRR Part 70. Waste transporters are permitted by the DEC under 6 NYCRR Part 364.

  • Segregation and containers: generators keep written policies for identifying and segregating RMW. Primary containers meet DOT standards (49 CFR 173.196, 173.197, 173.199); sharps go in rigid, leak-proof, puncture-resistant, closable containers; secondary containers carry the universal biohazard symbol or the word Biohazard, plus handling designations such as Incinerate Only for pharmaceuticals (6 NYCRR 365-1.2).
  • Storage: RMW may be held in a designated storage area for up to 30 days at a temperature that prevents rapid decomposition and odor. A generator of less than 50 pounds a month may instead store until the container reaches its fill line or shows evidence of putrefaction, whichever comes first. Bulk containers: 21 days below 45°F or 14 days above; pathological waste, blood and animal waste 7 days.
  • Transport: RMW leaves the site only with a transporter authorized under Part 364, and a hard copy of the medical waste tracking form accompanies each load.
  • Records: quantities, categories, treatment documentation and tracking-form copies stay on site for at least three years.
  • On-site treatment: a facility treating less than 500 pounds a month registers with the DEC under 6 NYCRR 360.15.

New York City adds its own handling rules for commercial generators; the DEC and DOH pages are the starting point for either.

Source: 6 NYCRR 365-1.2, Management of RMW by the generator.

Reviewed September 2026.

This summary is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; we confirm what applies to your facility during onboarding.Regulations by state

Services in New York

  1. Regulated Medical Waste and Biohazard Waste DisposalScheduled or on-call pickup of regulated medical waste, also called biohazard or red bag waste, from healthcare facilities: compliant containers, permitted transport and a manifest for every collection.Red bag, cardboard box
  2. Sharps Waste DisposalSharps container supply, exchange and disposal for practices of every size, from a single dental office to a hospital network.Red sharps container
  3. Pharmaceutical Waste DisposalCompliant collection and disposal of expired, unused and partially used non-hazardous pharmaceuticals, with the right stream for each drug.Blue container
  4. Trace Chemotherapy Waste DisposalYellow-container collection for trace chemotherapy waste from oncology, infusion and specialty practices.Yellow container
  5. RCRA Hazardous Pharmaceutical WasteBlack-container programs for RCRA-listed and characteristic hazardous pharmaceutical waste, with generator-status guidance and cradle-to-grave documentation.Black container
  6. Pathological Waste DisposalDedicated, labeled collection for tissues, organs and surgical specimens from surgery centers, labs, dermatology practices and veterinary clinics.Red bag, pathology label

Facilities we serve in New York

All facility types

New York service questions

Do you serve every part of New York?

We coordinate service through a network of qualified providers, and coverage in New York is confirmed address by address. Tell us your address and operations confirms whether a route is available before anything is promised.

Which rules apply to medical waste in New York?

Medical waste is regulated at the state level, alongside the federal OSHA, DOT and EPA rules that apply everywhere. The summary above covers the New York requirements that most affect small and mid-size generators. See our regulations guide for the federal picture and links to every state.

What waste streams can you pick up in New York?

Regulated (biohazardous) medical waste, sharps, pharmaceutical waste, trace chemotherapy waste, RCRA hazardous pharmaceutical waste and pathological waste, subject to verification of each stream at onboarding.

We are under contract. Can we still talk?

Of course. Most facilities are. Share your renewal date and we will follow up before it, so you can compare options without being rushed.

Medical waste pickup in New York

Send us your facility list and current schedule. We reply with a clear quote and a start date operations has confirmed.

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