MCF Environmental Services have been serving medical clinics, laboratories, education institutions and local businesses for more than 31 years, offering specialist waste collection and disposal services for hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams.
Wyoming waste management regulations for medical, infectious, bio-hazardous, and hazardous waste processes are not always easy to find.
Wyoming does not have specific regulations regarding medical waste, but follows the rules of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for regulated medical waste and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for hazardous waste, as well as OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard for guidance on sharps waste.
You need to follow both state and federal agency guidelines in regard to compliance, collection, storage, and transportation of potentially infectious healthcare waste or hazardous waste generated or transported off-site for disposal.
Guidelines for compliance in Wyoming
Wyoming has adopted and refers to regulations of the EPA and RCRA for regulated medical and hazardous waste management processes. Wyoming’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Solid and Hazardous Waste division is the primary regulatory agency for the state’s waste generators.
Refer to the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division (SHWD) for initial guidance. Then review the Wyoming state regulations found within the administrative rules of the state found here.
It can take some time to find specific rules. Refer to Chapter 11, Article 5, §35-11-516 (Regulation of hazardous waste generators and transporters) for information regarding record-keeping, determination of composition, quantities, and disposition of generated hazardous waste, labeling guidelines, and use of appropriate and compliant containers for hazardous waste.
Familiarity with RCRA regulations regarding hazardous and non-hazardous waste is also essential for safe and compliant waste management for any entity that produces hazardous waste.
Pay special attention to Wyoming’s adoption of guidelines of the Code of Federal Regulations Title 40 (Protection of the environment) found here as well as Section 260 (Hazardous waste management system).
Hazardous waste generators and generator status
Wyoming regulations also refers waste generators to 40 CFR 261 regarding compliance requirements and potential penalties for non-compliance. For example, waste generators may accumulate hazardous waste for 90 days or less on-site without a permit or without interim status.
However, all hazardous waste generators as well as facility owners or operators are required to apply to the DEQ for an EPA identification number and follow guidelines of Title 40, Part 264, Subpart B, which refers to general facility standards.
When it comes to regulations and guidelines, rely on the expertise of an experienced waste management company like MCF Environmental Services. With over 31 years of experience in healthcare and hazardous waste management, we focus on compliance with Wyoming’s waste regulations.
