EPA Guide Targets Hazardous Waste in Healthcare

By HFT Staff


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published the 2022 edition of a guide designed to help healthcare facilities managers understand applicable regulations so they can develop compliant, holistic and cost-effective pharmaceutical waste management programs. 

The goal of the guide, A 10-Step Blueprint for Managing Pharmaceutical Waste in U.S. Healthcare Facilities, is to help healthcare facilities understand EPA’s hazardous waste regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) as they apply to hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. 

The guide’s first section includes lists of hazardous waste, including ignitable and toxic materials. It also features information about the disposal of various types of empty pharmaceutical containers, including syringes, intravenous fluid bags, capsule containers and more. 

The second section outlines steps institutions can follow to implement updated hazardous medical waste disposal, including guidelines for choosing vendors that can help implement new procedures and steps for implementing the plan in pharmacies, nursing units and areas patients can access. 



November 8, 2022


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Grounding Healthcare Spaces in Hospitality Principles

Thoughtful design can establish the calm of a spa and the restorative feeling of a resort in healthcare spaces, bringing benefits for patients and care providers.


UC Davis Health Selects Rudolph and Sletten for Central Utility Plant Expansion

Work is already underway with substantial completion anticipated in the fall of 2027.


Cape Cod Healthcare Opens Upper 2 Floors of Edwin Barbey Patient Care Pavilion

The first two floors opened for patients in May 2025 and house the Davenport-Mugar Cancer Center.


Building Sustainable Healthcare for an Aging Population

Traditional responses — building more primary and secondary care facilities — are no longer sustainable.


Froedtert ThedaCare Announces Opening of ThedaCare Medical Center-Oshkosh

The organization broke ground on the health campus in March 2024.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.