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.
Knowing how to manage and dispose of various waste streams in the state of New Mexico relies on knowledge of the rules and where to find them. When it comes to infectious and hazardous waste management and disposal processes, ensure compliance.
New Mexico’s regulations for solid waste, hazardous waste, and waste stream management are found within Title 20 (Environmental Protection) of the state’s administrative codes.
New Mexico’s Environmental Solid Waste Bureau is responsible for oversight of medical waste disposal, which covers waste stream processes that include labeling, storage, applicable and approved treatments, and transportation off-site from healthcare facilities.
Infectious waste management
Infectious waste guidelines are found in the state’s administrative code §20.9.8.13 (Infectious waste). Wording can get tricky, especially when it comes to sharps disposal. In regard to sharps, the code states that “except for sharps, infectious waste shall be contained in plastic bags inside rigid containers… sharps shall be contained for storage, transportation, transfer, processing, transformation, and disposal in leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant containers which are manufactured for the purpose of sharps containment and are taped closed or tightly lidded to preclude loss of contents.”
Pay attention to the wording and definitions in state regulations.
Hazardous Waste Management in New Mexico
The Hazardous Waste Bureau of the state ensures that such waste is properly managed. The bureau offers regulatory oversight regarding permits and guidance for hazardous waste. Generators and waste handlers can find instruction documents from guides to PDF files, to links to administrative codes and authorizations, as well as resources within this bureau.
Pay special attention to New Mexico’s administrative code (NMAC) in regard to:
- Hazardous waste management (NMAC 20.4.1)
- Hazardous waste fees (NMAC 20.4.2)
- Permit procedures (NMAC 20.1.4)
New Mexico’s Hazardous Waste Act gives the state the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for non-compliance of regulations. Continued non-compliance of violations can reach $25,000 each day until the issue is rectified.
New Mexico complies with federal regulations and requirements for accumulation of hazardous waste by on-site hazardous waste generators, following guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule.
Generator status
The state provides a quick review of the generator improvements rules titled “Crosswalk of Previous Regulations to Reorganized Regulations” that can be found here.
MCF Environmental Services knows that it is time-consuming and often frustrating to seek out the state’s rules for various waste streams. However, environmentally sound and compliant waste management processes are a must. MCF has decades of experience in medical and hazardous waste management, product development, and customized services that help ensure compliance to the regulations in New Mexico.
