MCF Environmental Services have been serving medical clinics, laboratories, education institutions and local businesses for more than 30 years, offering specialist waste collection and disposal services for hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams.
Does your facility know the laws of the state when it comes to healthcare and hazardous waste management and disposal? Do you know your state’s regulatory agencies and rules for infectious or hazardous waste management processes?
Maryland’s Department of the Environment divides responsibilities throughout the Land Management Administration:
- The Resource Management Program oversees regulatory development of hazardous waste and permitting for any facility that stores, treats, or disposes of hazardous waste.
- The Technical Services and Operations Program manages tracking and certification, including EPA ID numbers and the hazardous waste e-manifest system.
- The Solid Waste Programs Compliance Division makes sure that hazardous waste regulations and requirements are followed.
Healthcare or industrial waste generators should also be familiar with Maryland regulations (COMAR) Chapter 26.13.02 – Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste. This chapter defines solid and hazardous wastes and which wastes are exempt from certain regulations. The chapter also goes into specific details regarding characteristics of hazardous waste (ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity), as well as providing a general listing of hazardous wastes.
Hazardous waste generator regulations
Current hazardous waste generator regulations can be found here and includes topics such as waste generator categories and classification standards, waste determination processes, and labeling requirements.
COMAR 26.13.03 – Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste – provides clear guidelines for identification of hazardous waste notification requirements and management standards. It also covers manifest requirements (off-site shipments) as well as preparation of waste for transport.
Hazardous waste and special medical waste ID number forms must be filled out and submitted to Maryland’s Department of the Environment by filling out the Notification of Hazardous Waste Activity.
A special medical waste ID number application can be found on the Land Permit Applications and Instructions page here. Refer to COMAR 10.06.06.05 regarding Treatment of Sharps before Disposal for approved decontamination methods.
Maryland’s Department of the Environment has adopted management of solid and hazardous waste rules of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Therefore, state and federal guidelines for hazardous waste management must be followed to maintain compliance and reduce the risk of fines and penalties for improper hazardous waste storage, transportation, or disposal processes.
Dozens of regulations regarding hazardous waste management are applicable in Maryland. For help navigating these laws, turn to the experts at MCF Environmental Services. With decades of experience in the field of healthcare and industrial hazardous waste management, we provide products, services, and expertise to promote safe and compliant waste management processes in the state.
