Do You Need a Medical Waste Disposal Company? Here’s How to Know

July 11, 2025

If your facility produces any type of biological waste—whether from patient care, laboratory work, or pharmaceutical use—you may be legally required to work with a medical waste disposal company near me. But how do you know when your operations require professional assistance? Understanding the differences between medical waste vs hazardous waste and the regulations surrounding each is key to making the right decision.

What Is Considered Medical Waste?

Medical waste includes materials generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of humans or animals. Common examples include:

• Blood-soaked bandages
• Used sharps (needles, syringes, and lancets)
• Contaminated gloves or gowns
• Pathological waste
• Pharmaceuticals and vaccines

This type of waste can spread infection and pose serious health risks if not handled properly, which is why biomedical waste management services exist to ensure compliant, safe disposal.

How Medical Waste Differs from Hazardous Waste

While there is overlap, medical waste vs hazardous waste are not the same. Hazardous waste typically includes chemicals or substances that are toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive, and is often governed by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

Medical waste, on the other hand, is often regulated by health departments and environmental agencies at both the state and federal levels. Facilities generating both types must manage them separately, and in accordance with different rules.

When You Need a Medical Waste Disposal Company

You likely need professional services if your business:

• Generates regular volumes of biohazardous or pathological waste
• Uses needles or sharps that require safe disposal
• Handles patient care, lab research, or pharmaceutical development
• Stores or disposes of infectious materials

If you're unsure how to dispose of medical waste or how to dispose of medical needles, it's a clear sign you should not be handling it alone. Improper disposal can lead to fines, contamination, and safety risks for employees and the public.

Needle-related waste is particularly risky and must be handled by certified sharps disposal companies to ensure regulatory compliance and public safety.

To learn more about safe disposal of medical waste, visit our article on Medical Waste Disposal.

Specialized Services for Labs and Research Facilities

To maintain compliance with all hazardous waste labels requirements, businesses should:

Laboratories generate a unique mix of chemical, biological, and pathological waste. If you're managing chemicals and medical waste together, it's essential to coordinate both disposal streams. For details on managing laboratory waste safely and effectively, see our article on Laboratory Waste Management.

Choose TransChem Environmental

If your business handles medical or biological waste, TransChem Environmental is your trusted partner for compliant, efficient, and secure waste disposal. With decades of experience and a full range of biomedical waste management services, they ensure that every aspect of your medical waste stream is managed properly—from sharps and pharmaceuticals to regulated medical waste containers and pickups.

Let TransChem handle the risk, so you can focus on what matters most—your patients, staff, and compliance.