What is Medical Waste?

Medical Waste has been referred to by several names (RMW-Regulated Medical Waste, BioHazardous Waste, Infections Waste, Red Bag Waste) over the years but ultimately the definition of this type of waste, per the Wisconsin code, specifically focuses on waste reduction, recovery and recycling. It defines pathogens as being contaminated with sufficient virulence and quality to expose humans or animals to that solid waste, resulting in potential contraction of an infectious disease. [§287.07(7)(c)1.c, Wisc. Stats.] Terminology for Wisconsin medical waste regulations defines medical waste to mean both infectious waste and other waste that either contains or is mixed with infectious waste. [§299.51(1)(b), Wis. Stats.]  In Minnesota, Infectious Waste is defined as waste that poses an environmental danger due to its biological risk.  At its most basic definition, infectious medical waste in Wisconsin and Minnesota includes:

• Liquid Blood or regulated bodily fluids from humans or research animals

• Wastes that will release blood or regulated bodily fluids when compressed

• Sharps – including disinfected and/or unused sharps

• Human or animal tissues containing any bodily fluid or infectious substance

• Microbiological medical waste

• Live or attenuated human and zootic vaccines

• Infectious Cultures and Contaminated laboratory items used to manipulate those cultures

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