Biomedical Waste and Needle Disposal

Biomedical Waste 

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.

More information:

• Biomedical Waste Plan Form [51KB PDF Update 3-16-16]
  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 [124KB PDF - updated 1/1/13]
  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 [77KB PDF] 
  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.

Prescription Medication Disposal 

It is important to properly dispose of prescription drugs so they do not contaminate the environment or water supplies, and so they are not misused or abused by other individuals.

• Prescription Medication Disposal Instructions [225KB pdf]
  For Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, & DeSoto Counties.  Includes a Home Medication Inventory Card you can use to keep track of prescription medications in your home.

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.

Program participants can pick up and return medical waste containers at:

• Needle Disposal Program Flyer
  [173KB PDF - updated 06/01/2024] 
  Includes a list of needle and lancet disposal locations