Medical Waste
Proper handling is necessary for any facility that generates medical waste — including hospitals, medical clinics, doctor’s offices, laboratories, nursing homes and veterinary clinics. The law also applies to any sites where tattoos and acupuncture are provided.
Medical Waste at a Glance
Sign Up OnlineSafe Disposal for Medical Waste
Proper Collection
Requires Approved Biohazard Containers
Preparing Container and Scheduling Pickup
Disposal Options
In 1990, the Oregon Legislature enacted a law for the prudent and safe handling of potentially infectious medical waste. This includes:
- Sharps
- Biological Waste
- Cultures and Stocks
- Pathological Waste
If your facility generates any of the four types of medical waste, you are required by law to follow certain procedures to properly package and dispose of that waste.
- Segregate medical waste from other waste at the point of generation
- Clearly identify containers holding infectious waste
- Store the medical waste
Please note that Rogue Disposal & Recycling ONLY picks up properly sealed sharps containers. Infectious waste must be placed in a separate box and it is handled by a specialized hazardous waste hauler.
Commercial Medical Disposal Rates
| Box/Tub Size | Pickup at your site | Drop-off at Rogue Disposal |
|---|---|---|
| 48 Gallon Steri-tub | $71.05 | N/A |
| 21 Gallon Steri-tub | $59.35 | N/A |
| 34 Gallon Steri-box | $64.10 | $48.07 |
| 15 Gallon Steri-box | $48.36 | $33.35 |
Commercial Medical Sharps Container Rates
Commercial medical waste service from Rogue Disposal & Recycling includes pickup, delivery and disposal of the container, as well as the special bio-hazard stericycle container or sharps container itself. Please note that there is a lesser charge for the sharps containers when they are purchased and placed inside one of the boxes or tubs. Sharps containers picked up by themselves, and not packaged with other medical waste, are charged a higher rate.
Payment is collected at the time of service. Once an account has been established with our accounting department, accounts can be billed on a monthly basis.
Bio-hazardous waste liners
One bio-hazardous waste liner is provided with each receptacle at no charge. When your Steri-Box or Steri-Tub is collected, you will receive a new liner at no charge. If you need an additional liner for any reason, there will be a small charge.
Weight Limit for Tubs and Boxes
There is a 40 pound weight limit for steri-boxes and a 60 pound weight limit for steri-tubs picked up by Rogue Disposal & Recycling.
Additional Supplies
Additional supplies — including sharps containers and steri-box replacement bags for 15 and 34 gallon boxes — are available for sale from Rogue Disposal & Recycling.
Guidelines
Because medical waste is a biohazard, it’s important to follow strict collection guidelines.
- Sharps must be stored, collected, transported and disposed of in leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant red plastic containers and have the word “biohazard” or the international symbol for biohazard clearly visible.
- Do not overfill the container. Everything must fit safely inside with nothing sticking out.
- Medical waste must not be placed in a trash chute, in a compactor, or in any type of container that is normally used for ordinary solid waste/trash.
- Do NOT place the filled container in your trash can or beside the trash can. Keep it in a safe place in your facility until it’s ready for disposal.
User Guide
Proper Collection and Disposal
Collection Information
Because medical waste is a biohazard, it’s important to follow strict collection guidelines.
- Sharps must be stored, collected, transported and disposed of in leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant red plastic containers and have the word “biohazard” or the international symbol for biohazard clearly visible.
- Do not overfill the container. Everything must fit safely inside with nothing sticking out.
- Medical waste must not be placed in a trash chute, in a compactor, or in any type of container that is normally used for ordinary solid waste/trash.
Preparing Your Box for Proper Use
Step 1
Set Up the Box. Turn over and seal bottom flaps with packing tape.
Step 2
Line the Box with the Red Bag
Step 3
Place Materials* Into the Lined Box. Make sure sharps containers are properly sealed. Used gloves and other non-sharp items can go directly into the lined box
*Only sharps and ordinary medical waste may be included. These items are not accepted as medical waste: any untreated “category A” infectious substances; complete human remains; bulk chemotherapy waste; mercury-containing dental waste; mercury-containing material or devices; RCRA hazardous pharmaceutical waste; DEA federal- and state-controlled substances; chemicals; compressed gas cylinders, canisters, inhalers or aerosol cans; hazardous or universal waste; and radioactive waste.
Preparing Container for Pickup
Making sure medical waste is properly prepared for pickup is critical for the safety of anyone who may come in contact with the biohazard box or tub.
For Tub Disposal
- When your sharps container is full, prepare it for disposal by securely closing the opening on top, then taping it shut.
- Do NOT place the filled container in your trash can or beside the trash can. Keep it in a safe place in your facility until it’s ready for disposal.
- Sharps containers may also be placed in a steri-box or steri-tub, as long as the total weight doesn’t exceed 40 pounds.
- For steri-tubs: Tie off red liners before putting the lid on.
Preparing Your Box For Proper Disposal
Step 1
When Full, Tie the Bag as Shown
Step 2
Seal the Box for Transport. Once everything is inside, seal the box with packing tape. If you’re only disposing of sharps containers (no gloves, scrubs, or other materials) and are using a lined box with a lid, make sure the lid is on tight — no need to tape it shut for transport.
Note: If there are bags sticking out of the box or the box is not sealed properly, we will be unable to pick up your medical waste container.
Schedule Your On-Site Pickup
Once your box or tub is full and properly prepared for pickup, please give us a call at 541.779.4161 and we will schedule you for the following Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday — our medical waste pickup days each week.
If you have any questions, need additional supplies or are ready to schedule a pickup, just give us a call at 541.779.4161
Commercial Medical Waste FAQs
Do I have to use a biohazard container I purchase from Rogue? What are the requirements for an acceptable container?
Acceptable containers must be leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant and red, with the word “biohazard” or the international symbol for biohazard clearly visible. You can buy a biohazard container from us or use one of your own as long as it meets all the requirements.
Do I have to use a biohazard container I purchase from Rogue? What are the requirements for an acceptable container?
Acceptable containers must be leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant and red, with the word “biohazard” or the international symbol for biohazard clearly visible. You can buy a biohazard container from us or use one of your own as long as it meets all the requirements.
Do I need to sign up for medical waste service?
No. You can bring your medical waste to our Customer Service Office located at One West Main Street, Suite 401, in downtown Medford, or to our Transfer Station at 8001 Table Rock Road in White City.
Do I need to sign up for medical waste service?
No. You can bring your medical waste to our Customer Service Office located at One West Main Street, Suite 401, in downtown Medford, or to our Transfer Station at 8001 Table Rock Road in White City.
Do I need to sterilize my sharps before disposing them?
No. Just store them in a leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant red plastic container that has the word “biohazard” or the international symbol for biohazard clearly visible. You can buy a biohazard container from us or use one of your own as long as it meets all the requirements.
Do I need to sterilize my sharps before disposing them?
No. Just store them in a leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant red plastic container that has the word “biohazard” or the international symbol for biohazard clearly visible. You can buy a biohazard container from us or use one of your own as long as it meets all the requirements.
When you talk about medical waste, what are “sharps”?
Sharps include needles, syringes, scalpels, slides, cover slips, pipettes and blood tubes.
When you talk about medical waste, what are “sharps”?
Sharps include needles, syringes, scalpels, slides, cover slips, pipettes and blood tubes.
Additional Commercial Services
Trash
Want to add an additional pickup each week? Looking for a larger dumpster of different service options?
Recycling
From corrugated cardboard and mixed waste paper to special pickup service for high-volume glass, we can help you maximize your recycling efforts.
Junk Removal:
At Your Service
Damaged furniture and old filing cabinets are hard to get rid of. Our team can remove hard-to-handle junk for you.
Confidential Shredding
Our on-site document shredding service offers a cost-effective and confidential way to destroy confidential materials.
Electronics Waste
Technology changes quickly. Fortunately, most electronic waste can be dropped off for recycling at our Transfer Center.
Drop Box Rental
Moving locations? Time for a major cleaning? We offer a variety of drop box sizes and options — from temporary to permanent.
Multi-Family Trash and Recycling Services
Do you own or manage multi-family housing? A no-cost on-site customized waste consultation can determine the services right for you.
On-Site Document Destruction
From client information and personnel data to financial reports and other confidential paperwork, Rogue Shred provides a cost-effective and completely confidential way to destroy documents.