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Biomedical Waste Program

Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County

Disposal of biomedical waste is regulated by two agencies in Florida.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulates medical waste incinerators and final disposal of treated medical wastes.

The Department of Health regulates treatment methods, other than incineration, and commercial facilities that produce, transport, or store biomedical waste under the authority of Chapter 64E-16 of the Florida Administrative Code.

This program is administered in Gadsden County by the Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County. To find the coordinator for other areas of the state, see the list of Biomedical Waste Coordinators.

Biomedical Waste - Generators

A generator is any facility or person who produces biomedical waste as described in Chapter 64E-16 of the Florida Administrative Code.

All commercial facilities that produce sharps or other biomedical waste are required to obtain an annual permit from the County Health Department of jurisdiction. After 12 months of operation, any facility that has produced less than 25 pounds of biomedical waste each month may apply for exemption from the permit fee at the next permit renewal period.

Annual permit fees are $85.00 per year. The permit year begins October 1 of each year. Call us for specifics about applying for a permit. An exempt generator is not required to pay the $85.00 annual permit fee but must comply with all other requirements of Chapter 64E-16 of the Florida Administrative Code. Visit the Florida Health Biomedical Web Page to Download the Permit Requirements and a Biomedical Waste Generator Permit Application.

Permitted facilities are inspected annually. Exempt facilities are inspected once every three years. Biomedical waste handling procedures are reviewed to assure proper identification, segregation, containment, storage, labeling, and disposal of biomedical waste.

All facilities must have a Biomedical Waste Plan and provide documentation of annual training in the biomedical waste rule and your plan. Records of disposal must be kept for 3 years and be available for review during inspection.

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