New York Laws
Title 15 - Storage, Treatment, Disposal and Transportation of Regulated Medical Waste
27-1505 - Storage and Containment of Regulated Medical Waste.

1. Containment of regulated medical waste shall be in a manner and
location which affords protection from the environment and limits
exposure to the public.

2. Unless otherwise approved by the department, regulated medical
waste shall be contained at the generator's facility and at any other
location off the site of the generator's facility only for such periods
and under such conditions pursuant to rules and regulations adopted in
furtherance of this title.

3. Containment of regulated medical waste shall be separate from other
wastes. Containers used for the containment of regulated medical waste
shall be marked with prominent warning signs on the containers with the
word "infectious" or the words "regulated medical waste".

4. Regulated medical waste, except for all discarded sharps, shall be
contained in bags which are impervious to moisture and have a strength
sufficient to resist ripping, tearing or bursting under normal
conditions of usage and of handling. The bags shall be secured so as to
prevent leakage during storage, handling or transport. All bags used for
containment and disposal of regulated medical wastes shall be red in
color.

5. All discarded sharps shall be contained for disposal in leakproof,
rigid, puncture-resistant containers which are secured to preclude loss
of the contents. Such containers shall be red in color or shall be
conspicuously labeled with the word "infectious" or the words "regulated
medical waste".

6. Before regulated medical waste is transported from the generator's
facility, regulated medical waste contained in disposable containers
shall be placed for storage or handling in disposable or reusable pails,
cartons, drums or portable bins. The containment system shall be
leakproof, have tight-fitting covers and be kept clean and in good
repair. The containers may be of any color and shall be conspicuously
labeled with the word "infectious" or the words "regulated medical
waste".

7. Reusable containers for regulated medical waste shall be thoroughly
washed and decontaminated each time they are emptied in conformity with
procedures prescribed by the department of health, unless the surfaces
of the containers have been completely protected from contamination by
disposable liners, bags or other devices removed with the waste.

8. Reusable pails, drums or bins used for containment of regulated
medical waste shall not be used for containment of waste to be disposed
of as other wastes or for other purposes except after being
decontaminated in conformity with procedures prescribed by the
department of health.

9. Trash chutes shall not be used to transfer regulated medical waste
between locations where it is contained.