Biomedical Waste

The Biomedical Waste Program protects health care workers, environmental service staff, waste haulers, and the general public from risks associated with potentially infectious pathogens. Biomedical Waste generators include, but are not limited to, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, laboratories, funeral homes, dentists, veterinarians, acupuncturists, and physicians or any business that produces biomedical waste as a result of services provided. View a copy of the Biomedical Waste Rule 64E - 16 FAC (53 KB PDF) and Section 381.0098, Florida Statute.

Facilities must have their Biomedical Waste removed by a licensed commercial company. View a List of Registered Biomedical Waste Transporters (20KB PDF).

The Biomedical Waste Program investigates complaints concerning biomedical waste. Please call: 904-253-1820 if you have such complaints. Emergency situations are referred to the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Emergency Response, at 850-245-2010.

Annual permits are required for facilities that generate more than 25 pounds of biomedical waste within a 30-day period. All facilities must first obtain an initial biomedical waste permit prior to commencement of operation. You can download the common application forms here:

Application for Biomedical Waste Generator Permit/Exemption DH4089(21kb PDF)
Application for Biomedical Waste Transporter Registration DH4106(19kb PDF)
Application for Biomedical Waste Storage Permit DH4107(19kb PDF)
Application for Biomedical Waste Sharps Collection Program Permit DH4108 (8kb PDF)

In-service training to satisfy annual requirements is available for all classifications of Biomedical Waste Generators. Please contact our office at 904-253-1280 for instructor availability and associated fees.

Biomedical waste generated by individuals in their own homes from use of syringes or diagnostic lancets also should beproperly managed. Many homeowners can find assistance through alocal county needle collection program.  Where biomedical waste is produced in a home through injury or other major traumatic conditions, the guidelines forhome cleanup of biomedical waste  (40KB PDF) provide guidance for proper cleanup ortrauma scene clean up providerscan be contacted to manage site decontamination.