Medical Waste Generators
The Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA), Section 117705 of the California Health and Safety Code, considers any person whose act or process produces medical waste to be a “medical waste generator” in California (e.g., a facility or business that generates, and/or stores medical waste onsite).
Medical waste generators may be either large quantity generators (LQG = >200 lbs/month), or small quantity generators (SQG = <200 lbs/month). Medical waste generators shall register with their local enforcement agency.
Applications
Medical waste generators, whether LQGs or SQGs, located in counties where the state acts as the local enforcement agency (see the state map (GIF)
to determine the enforcement agency in each county) shall complete the Generator Registration Application (below) and mail it along with the fee page (below) to the address provided.
For medical waste generators treating medical waste on-site, an on-site treatment permit application shall also be completed and submitted to the address below.
Each application, along with a check made payable to the Medical Waste Management Fund shall be mailed to:
California Department of Public Health
Medical Waste Management Program
P.O. Box 997377, MS 7405
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Forms
Trauma Scene
Individuals and companies in the business of cleaning trauma scenes must register with the State of CA Medical Waste Management Program. Click here for information on how to register. Registered Trauma Scene Waste Practitioners may legally handle medical waste that is generated as a result of a trauma scene. Only Registered Trauma Scene Waste Practitioners (PDF)should be hired to clean trauma scenes. A property owner does not need to be registered to clean a trauma scene on his property.
Limited Quanity Hauling Exemptions
Limited Quantity Hauling Exemptions (LQHEs) may be useful for agencies performing home health care. If your agency/practice is located in a county where the state is the local enforcement agency for medical waste and qualifies for an LQHE, follow the steps below to insure that all necessary data is provided to the state. Once all documentation is reviewed and verified, an exemption will be sent to you. Medical waste may not be hauled until the California Department of Public Health or Local Enforcement Agency has issued a limited quantity hauling exemption. Complete and submit the LQHE form below.
Hospital Waste Reduction Posters and Stickers
The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) has "Know Where to Throw" medical waste posters to hang near red bad receptacles, in break rooms, meeting rooms, and training areas. The poster is a great educational tool to inform staff in general patient care areas about red bag and non-red-bag wastes. Bio-hazardous waste required to be red bagged is listed clearly. CIWMB also has companion stickers for use on all bio-hazardous waste containers. These posters and stickers are available to California businesses, governmental agencies, public service organizations, and educational institutions in limited quantities at no charge.
CIWMB hosts Encapsulated Post Script (EPS) versions of the "Know Where to Throw" poster and sticker. EPS files are very large high quality digital files used by professional graphic artists and professional printers to create high definition reproductions. These are available for health care facilities and agencies who wanted to reproduce their own copies. For more information, go to the CIWMB website, telephone (916) 341-6363, or email bzassist@ciwmb.ca.gov.