Biomedical Waste and Needle Disposal

Biomedical Waste

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) has primary authority and responsibility in Sarasota County for facilities that generate, transport, store, or treat biomedical waste. These include hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, laboratories, funeral homes, dentists, veterinarians, physicians, tattooists, and body piercers.

The objective of the biomedical waste program is to protect public health. When biomedical waste is improperly managed, it places health care workers, sanitation workers and the general public at risk for contracting an infectious disease.

Resources

• Biomedical Waste Plan Form
  Use this document to provide a record of biomedical waste training for all employees prior to commencement of duties; the facility must provide documentation annually that employees who handle or generate biomedical waste have been properly trained.
• Florida Department of Health - Biomedical Waste
• List of registered biomedical waste transporters(Florida Department of Health)
• Florida Administrative Code 64E-16 - Biomedical Waste
  Chapter 64E-16, Florida Administrative Code, requires facilities that generate, transport, store, or treat biomedical waste to obtain a biomedical waste permit.
• Application for Biomedical Generator Permit/Exemption
  A biomedical waste generator is required to apply for an annual biomedical waste permit and abide by the requirements of FAC 64E-16.
• Biomedical Waste Generator Log
  This is a sample log and is not required; it is offered as a tool to assist in compliance to the Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64E-16.

Needle Disposal (Sharps)

Needles or lancets should never be placed in the garbage or in a recycling bin. DOH-Sarasota's Sharps Program provides individuals a no-cost, safe, and legal way to dispose of syringes, needles, and lancets. Businesses are prohibited from using this public service program.

Find a Sharps Disposal Location.