Medical Waste Disposal in Texas

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

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Medical waste rules in Texas

Medical waste in Texas is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) under 30 TAC Chapter 326, with the definition of health care–related waste taken from Department of State Health Services rules (25 TAC 1.132). The TCEQ splits generators at 50 pounds a month, which is where most physician, dental and veterinary offices sit.

  • What counts: five categories from 25 TAC 1.132(44): waste from animals intentionally exposed to pathogens; bulk blood, blood products and body fluids (100 mL or more in a container); microbiological waste; pathological waste; and sharps. Items with small amounts of blood become regulated once 100 mL accumulates in one container.
  • Generator size: a small-quantity generator produces 50 pounds or less a month; a large-quantity generator more than 50 pounds (30 TAC 326.3). Both may store their own waste on site without a permit or registration, provided it is stored securely and creates no nuisance (30 TAC 326.31(a)).
  • Storage: TCEQ guidance (RG-001) sets no day limit for storage at the generator before collection, and refrigeration before collection is optional. Once collected, putrescible or biohazardous waste held more than 72 hours must be kept at 45°F or below (30 TAC 326.43, 326.53).
  • Packaging and labeling: bags go inside a rigid, leak-resistant, moisture-impervious container that is sealed and strong enough not to tear or burst, or a package that meets 49 CFR 173.134 and 173.196 (30 TAC 326.17, 326.19, 326.21).
  • Transporters: untreated medical waste moves only with a transporter registered by rule with the TCEQ (30 TAC 326.53); the transporter must give the generator a written or electronic statement of weight or volume within 45 days. A small-quantity generator may carry its own waste without registering.
  • Records: keep the signed shipping receipt from the transporter and records of every shipment for three years, and obtain the treatment facility's receipt certifying treatment (30 TAC 326.75(e)(7)(D)).
  • On-site treatment: a generator treating its own waste notifies the TCEQ (30 TAC 326.39 for small, 326.41 for large generators) and keeps treatment records; large-quantity generators also document microorganism-reduction testing.

Source: TCEQ, Texas Regulations on Medical Waste (RG-001) and the medical waste generator page.

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 Texas

  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 Texas

All facility types

Texas service questions

Do you serve every part of Texas?

We coordinate service through a network of qualified providers, and coverage in Texas 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 Texas?

Medical waste is regulated at the state level, alongside the federal OSHA, DOT and EPA rules that apply everywhere. The summary above covers the Texas 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 Texas?

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 Texas

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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