Segregation
WM specializes in the end-to-end disposal of all wastes that may be described as regulated medical waste, biohazardous medical waste, biomedical waste and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) for facilities of all sizes.
A Provider You Can Trust
For more than 35 years, we have helped healthcare facilities of all sizes manage biohazardous medical waste through compliant collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal services.
Healthcare Crisis Response
Over the years, we have served our customers in North America during times of significant disease or illness-related outbreaks, epidemics and/or pandemics- including, the outbreak of SARS in 2003, H1N1 in 2009, Ebola in 2014 and COVID-19 in 2020.
We work with regulators, including the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the state regulatory agencies, to help provide our customers with the guidance necessary to properly manage biomedical waste generated during the treatment of contagious diseases in these circumstances.
Easy, Online Account Management
Our Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) service provides 24/7 access to our Customer Portal where you can easily manage your pickup schedule, make payments, and access shipping documents, and invoices.
Online Training and Compliance Resources
Our Customer Portal includes access to Biohazardous Waste Segregation and DOT Hazardous Materials training. You can also access OSHA and HIPAA compliance tools and resources as part of our Steri-Safe® Solutions.
Flexible Scheduling and Tracking Infrastructure to Give You Peace of Mind
Our operations are designed to deliver convenience with minimal intrusion into your busy schedule. With more than 260 locations and 4,100 fleet assets throughout North America, we can meet your business needs no matter where you are.
Source: WM Annual Data, 2025
WM provides regulatory expertise throughout the RMW lifecycle and partners with you to help manage the safe and responsible packaging, transportation, treatment, and disposal of medical waste.
Segregation
Package & Labeling
Storage
Pickup & Documentation
Transportation
Treatment & Disposal
Records Retention
As an industry leader, WM understands the importance of compliantly managing the collection, transportation, treatment, and appropriate disposal of various types of medical waste as required by regulations in your area.
Medical waste generated from procedures including any items saturated with human blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), such as bandages, gauze, or PPE, are considered regulated medical waste or red bag waste. They should be disposed of safely in marked regulated medical waste disposal containers that are stored for pickup.
Trace Chemotherapy Waste is any waste contaminated through contact with, or having previously contained, chemotherapeutic agents, such as PPE that is not saturated with hazardous drug waste as well as fully administered syringes and I.V. bags. It must be properly segregated, packaged, and labeled in order to comply with certain regulatory requirements as well as WM's waste acceptance policy.
Pathological waste such as human or animal body parts, organs, tissues, and surgical specimens (decanted of formaldehyde, formalin, or other preservatives) must also be properly segregated, packaged, and labeled for incineration in order to comply with applicable regulatory requirements as well as WM’s waste acceptance policy.
Sharps waste such as needles, scalpels, blades, and pipettes that have come in contact with blood, body fluids, or microorganisms should be disposed of in a designated sharps container. This service can be added to your biohazardous or red bag waste to reduce needlestick injuries and keep employees safe.
Our SafeShield® Medical Waste Containers provide the following benefits:
DOT-compliant reusable containers made with durable HDPE material and reinforced handles
Smooth interior finish and drainage channels to aid in cleaning and drying
Integrated lid closes securely and eliminates lid misplacement
Corner grips secure bags in place during use
Containers are nestable and stackable for efficient transport and storage
Biohazardous waste is any waste saturated with liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Often, biohazardous waste is used interchangeably with such terms as regulated medical waste, biomedical waste, clinical waste, infectious waste and may vary in local or state regulations. Each of these waste streams is regulated and must be disposed of by specific means to mitigate their risk to environmental health and safety.
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