Disposing of medical waste in Auburn in 2025 can be done easily without harming the environment if you’re aware of the waste categories.
You probably didn’t sign up to be a trash expert, but if you’re here, you’re probably staring at a trash bag and wondering, “Is it okay to throw this in here?”. This, along with many questions, often arises in the minds of medical workers when they have to dispose of their medical waste in Auburn. For this reason, it’s absolutely important to understand how to dispose of the different types of waste in Auburn to prevent public health risks and environmental contamination, which can ultimately lead to financial strain on the city.
Drawing from the experience of managing waste for hundreds of businesses in Auburn, this article covers different types of medical waste from sharps to red bags and the proper method for discarding them accordingly.
Firstly, it's important to understand what exactly medical waste is. Any waste that is produced in healthcare or any medical-related setting falls under this category. What's more is that this type of waste is considered extremely hazardous, and you really shouldn’t just throw it in with the kitchen trash.
For instance, needles, syringes, blood-soaked bandages, expired drugs, broken glass from labs, and even animal tissue from vet practices all fall under this category. In Auburn, it's not just the hospitals producing this kind of waste. Medical waste is generated on a regular basis from:
Med spas
Tattoo parlors
Research labs
Veterinary clinics
Pharmacies
Dental practices
So, in short, if there is a box of gloves, gauze, or sharps involved, that place is bound to have medical waste.
Main Categories of Medical Waste in Auburn & How To Dispose
Below is a breakdown of each type of medical waste and how to dispose of it with practices that won’t require you to skim through medical dictionaries for hours on end.
These sharps must always be contained in FDA-approved, puncture-proof containers and not in the red bags, and definitely not in the regular bins. If not done correctly, you put Auburn's garbage collectors and medical waste handlers at risk, and they can get needlestick injuries, which by the way is considered a fineable offense in Alabama.
Also known as Red bag waste, this includes,
Used dressings
Gloves used during medical practices
Used cotton swabs
Blood-soaked items
Used PPE (face masks, gowns, shields, etc.)
Petri dishes
One-time use lab items
It's a good practice to double bag them in labeled red biohazard bags and containers that are leak-proof to make sure no toxic spills happen.
Useful Tip: Many businesses in Auburn often make the mistake of filling these red bags with things that are not hazardous or aren't exactly medical waste, like paper towels or unused gloves. This can cost you a lot as those red bags don't come for free, so make sure to only throw biohazard waste in them.
For the non-controlled substances, typically black containers are ideal. On the other hand, for controlled substances, special DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) compliant handling, like incineration or disposal in the presence of a witness, is the best.
Why it matters: Auburn’s waterway, similar to the Chewacla Creek, has experienced increased levels of pharmaceutical compounds that have put the aquatic life at major risk.
Anatomical/ Pathological Waste
This type of waste requires critical handling and should be stored in separate containers, refrigerated properly until it’s picked up. Incineration is then typically done by licensed handlers. If not stored properly, besides sanitation concerns, decomposition, bad odours, and toxic exposure can harm the workers.
Just a heads up: It’s good to label the containers; the last thing you need is a surprise in the wrong bin.
This is hazardous waste and includes;
Label and place these items in special, secure holders, and place them in secondary containers as well for extra safety if needed. After that, these containers are usually picked up by certified medical waste transporters in Auburn who know how to handle hazardous materials.
Warning: Never make the mistake of mixing it with the red bag waste. Doing so falls under the violation of state and federal law, and you can even get a five-figure fine.
Now, for the waste that you don't really need to be careful about;
Office waste
Unused PPE
Packaging materials
Leftover food items
Office trash
Wrappers etc
How to dispose
You can use your regular bins for this type of waste, and use recycling bins as well, but you have to be very careful so you don’t throw in any contaminated materials.
What Happens If You Get It Wrong
There is plenty that can happen if you dispose of medical waste produced in Auburn the wrong way. Here is what you can expect in case that happens.
Health Risks: There is a history of needlestick injuries during waste management in Auburn. Careful disposal eliminates any threats.
Environmental Fallout: Flushing medicines doesn't make them disappear magically; they pollute water and destroy aquatic life.
Financial Hits: Alabama has strict laws on medical waste. Agencies like the DEA, OSHA, and EPA are stepping up and taking violations against rules very seriously. You can get up to a $25000 fine and public notices. In the worst-case scenario, Auburn authorities can temporarily suspend your license, and if the offense is too severe, they can ban your license permanently.
With this, our guide on the different types of medical waste in Auburn and how to dispose of it comes to an end. The city officials in Auburn are updating their policies and increasing inspections. This puts an undeniable amount of pressure on businesses, so it's important to be more careful while disposing of hazardous waste and work with the best licensed medical waste disposal providers to make it easy for you and your business.
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