Philadelphia Medical Waste Disposal Solutions

Please refer to the Pennsylvania Code 271.1 for a full listing of waste classifications.

Enclosures for regulated medical waste shall be capable of being readily maintained in sanitary condition. Infectious or chemo waste should be accompanied by prominent warning signs indicating storage of this waste and cannot be commingled with other waste.

Storage of waste should prevent waste leakage or release, be secured to only authorized users, and kept in a non-putrescent state.

The secondary (outermost) container requires the following elements:

• Name, address and telephone number of the generator (shipper)
• Date the waste was generated
• Name of the transporter
• Transporter license number
• The words “infectious waste” or “chemotherapeutic waste”
• The word “biohazard” and the universal biohazard symbol

Storage Time (PA Code 284.41):

• Room temperature - no longer than 30 days from whichever of the below is first:
  • the date the waste container is full
  • the date the generator seals the container
• Used sharps containers may be used until full as long as the storage is in accordance with basic storage requirements
• If regulated medical waste or chemo waste becomes putrescent during storage, it must be removed within three days

A generator (shipper) who transports, or offers for transportation, infectious or chemotherapeutic waste for offsite processing or disposal shall prepare a manifest

• The manifest shall be in at least 4 parts
• If the waste is to be processed or disposed in this Commonwealth, the generator (shipper) shall use one of the manifest formats prescribed by the Department
• The manifest copies shall be distributed as follows:
  • A 4 part manifest shall be used by a generator (shipper) who designates only one transporter.
  • Manifest copies shall be retained for at least 5 years from the date of shipment of the waste