If you are looking for a service provider who complies with every regulation to dispose of your medical waste in Virginia, Specific Waste Industries (SWI) is here to help. Our services cater to all types of disposal needs. Whether you are a hospital generating large volumes of waste or a small generator, we have the best solutions for our clients. Our dedicated medical waste experts use advanced disposal methods and guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your waste is disposed of securely.
SWI’s Medical Waste Removal Services in Virginia
Our comprehensive, compliant disposal services are designed to meet your facility’s specific needs. Our goal is to be a trustworthy local partner to clients with a full range of medical waste streams, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, blood banks, laboratories, research centers, dental offices, and veterinarians. We are the leading industry experts who handle the following types of medical waste in Virginia.
Pathological Waste
Pathological waste is waste derived from human and animal bodies, including tissues, bodily fluids, and organs, generated by surgery and other medical procedures. Since pathological waste poses a high risk of infection transmission, it must be safely stored in approved containers. Once you collect the waste, our trained team will arrive at your facility for pickup at a scheduled time. Your waste will then be transferred to our treatment facility for final disposal, complying with all relevant regulations.
Chemotherapy Waste
Chemotherapy waste is generated during chemotherapy treatment. It includes all items contaminated with chemotherapy drug residue, such as IV lines, medical equipment, needles, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Because chemotherapy drugs are dangerous to living tissue, including through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, this type of waste is classified as hazardous. We dispose of it in accordance with EPA guidelines, keeping your organization safe.
Pharmaceutical Waste
Pharmaceutical waste includes expired and unused drugs. Because of differences in the chemical composition of the drugs, pharmaceutical waste can be categorized as non-hazardous or hazardous. After we collect the waste, our disposal experts will transport it to our treatment facility. The waste is then treated and prepared for final disposal, while we finalize documentation of the entire process for your records.
Sharps Waste
Healthcare facilities handle sharps, such as needles, lancets, scalpels, and both broken and intact drug vials, as part of normal operations. These objects pose a risk of puncturing skin and spreading bloodborne illnesses among patients, staff, and the public. They can also harm the environment if they end up in waterways or landfills. We help you stay compliant by accepting mail-back sharps or collecting them at a frequency that works best for you.
How Our Medical Waste Disposal Process Works
Regardless of the volume of waste you generate, our services are here to help you safely manage it. We also offer compliance education because our number one priority is that all waste is transported and disposed of properly. Here are the steps in our straightforward waste removal process.
Initial Consultation
We speak with medical facilities of all sizes to understand not only the volume and the type of waste they generate, but also their schedule and typical operations. This consultation will help us determine together what your ideal pickup schedule should be. Once we assess your needs, we will provide you with a transparent quote with a detailed cost breakdown and a guarantee that there will be no surprise charges.
Pickup Scheduling
If you generate medical waste regularly, you can choose from daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, and annual pickups. Depending on your pickup schedule, our disposal experts will arrive on-site to collect your medical waste and transport it to our facility for final disposal. You can also arrange a one-time pickup or change the pickup frequency, since we strive to be flexible and to accommodate your business needs.
Collection and Disposal
On the scheduled service day, our experienced team members arrive at your facility to safely collect your medical waste with minimal disruption to your day. Our DOT-compliant, GPS-equipped trucks transport the waste to our licensed facility, where we use approve processes to prepare it for final disposal. At the end of the process, we provide you with complete documentation that demonstrates your compliance with regulations in case of inspections.
Why Choose SWI?
Across Virginia, SWI is trusted to show up on time, reduce health risks, and remove medical waste in accordance with regulations. Here are some reasons why facilities of all sizes rely on us to provide the best service in the industry.
45+ Years of Experience
Medical organizations in Virginia depend on secure waste disposal, and with us, you can rest assured your facility will remain safe and compliant. With over four decades of experience, we are Your Waste Removal Experts.
Trained Professionals
Our team members have deep knowledge of medical waste removal, and are always there to answer any of your questions. They take compliance seriously, ensuring that their expertise is up to date, no matter the regulatory changes.
Competitive Prices
The detailed quote you receive during the initial consultation only covers the services you need, with no risk of hidden or later charges. By prioritizing volume and type of waste, we ensure that you stay within budget, even if your needs change.
Safe Transportation
Safety does not end once waste leaves your facility. Our experts secure the waste in transportation vehicles, guaranteeing containment and adherence to regulations. As with all steps in our waste management process, transportation is thoroughly documented for your peace of mind.
Medical Waste Requirements and Regulations in Virginia
If you generate medical waste, it must be properly removed and not reused, disposed of in regular trash bins, or stored for more than 45 days. Noncompliance with regulations may expose you to reputational damage, legal issues, and daily compounding fines. To safeguard your business in Virginia, SWI offers a comprehensive service that adheres to all guidelines set by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the EPA, the DOT, and OSHA.
The DEQ provides management guidelines for regulated medical waste (RMW) regarding packaging, labeling, storage, segregation, transportation, transfer, treatment, and disposal. When managing medical waste, you must ensure that your waste disposal partner uses approved methods, such as autoclaving for sharps or high-heat treatment.
Contact Us for Medical Waste Disposal in Virginia
SWI addresses all your medical waste disposal needs in Virginia, whether you are a large hospital, a small dental office, or any other healthcare facility. Call us today and speak to us about our reliable services. Join us for compliant, regulated medical waste disposal in Virginia and help build a safe, healthy community.
Our additional services include hazardous waste disposal and document shredding in Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
All medical waste collected by our professionals is taken to our licensed facility for proper treatment and final disposal. We use autoclaving and high-heat treatment to safely dispose of all waste in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
For reliable medical waste disposal in Virginia, contact SWI. Our range of disposal options addresses all your medical waste needs.
Different types of medical waste go in specific color bins.
- Red bins: Most medical waste
- Yellow bins: Chemotherapy waste
- Gray bins: Pathological waste
- Blue bins: Pharmaceutical waste
It is most hazardous at the point of generation, which mainly occurs in healthcare facilities. During this phase, medical waste is most prone to spreading infections and requires proper handling.
The cost of medical waste disposal depends on the volume and the type of waste, the frequency of pickups, and waste handling requirements. Since every business has different needs, we can help you determine the best plan for medical waste removal from your facility.