Medical Waste
The North Carolina Medical Waste Management rules regulate the packaging, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of medical waste. The medical waste management rules are located at NCAC, Title 15A, Chapter 13, Subchapter B. The medical waste management rules regulate non-hazardous solid waste.
Medical waste is subject to the requirements for solid waste found in the Solid Waste Rules, Laws, and Regulations. The North Carolina Medical Waste Management rules are administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Waste Management - Solid Waste Section.
Useful Links
- Medical Waste - the Basics
- Medical Waste Frequently Asked Questions
- North Carolina Medical Waste Management Rules Presentation
- Poster about medical waste in North Carolina.
- Poster about residential sharps disposal in North Carolina. Y en Español.
- Unwanted scheduled drugs take-back: US Dept. of Justice, Drug Enforce. Admin, Diversion Control Div. - Drug Disposal Info., NCDHHS, NC Controlled Substances Regulatory
- Household medication disposal
- E-cigarette disposal
- North Carolina Permitted Regulated Medical Waste Treatment Facilities
- North Carolina Approved Alternative Medical Waste Treatment Technologies
- EPA Guidance Document on Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal
- Vaccine Disposal Guidance
Have a question about non-hazardous medical waste in North Carolina that you do not see answered? Contact: John.Patrone@deq.nc.gov or 919-280-4814.
Links to Other Governmental Agencies
Other agencies may have additional requirements pertaining to medical waste management.
- EPA - Medical waste disposal is not regulated by the EPA although, its website has useful information.
- OSHA - Regulations include information about labeling and packaging of medical waste.
- DOT - Regulates medical waste transport.
- CDC - National health security and disease information.
- Clinical Questions about COVID-19 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- FDA - Protects consumers and enhances public health by maximizing compliance of FDA regulated products and minimizing risk associated with those products.
- N.C. Hazardous Waste Section - Administers the RCRA Subtitle C program, which also regulates some types of medical waste and chemotherapy waste.