Sharps management

Sharps are regulated as medical waste under the provisions of NR 526.

According to NR 500.03 (209) “Sharps” means medical equipment or clinical laboratory                 articles that may cause punctures or cuts. Sharps include, but are         not limited to, contaminated, unused and disinfected items listed in          s. NR 526.05 (1) (a) Sharps are considered infectious waste, whether used, unused, contaminated or decontaminated. See WA820.

According to NR 526.11(2)(c) 

Sharps. Sharps shall be treated by any of the following methods:

1. A method which both renders the sharp non−infectious and renders the sharp broken and not able to be reused, such as by a grinding or shredding process

2. Incineration

 Infectious waste generators may temporarily accumulate infectious waste in individual containers near the place where the waste was generated, prior to moving the waste to an on−site infectious waste storage facility. Once at the on−site infectious waste storage facility, containers must be removed within 90 days.

Some (maybe most) University of Wisconsin facilities send sharps with VeoliaES-TS on their normal service stops (i.e.,   "hazardous waste pickups"). Some have arrangements with other companies. Some sharps, through use, especially in a research lab   where chemicals are used, may meet a definition of hazardous waste.

Regulatory citations and standards

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

US Environmental Protection Agency