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Biomedical Waste

The 1993 Florida Legislature provided funding for the Biomedical Waste Program, from the Solid Waste Management Trust Fund. Additional funding is provided through the annual permitting of facilities that generate at least 25 pounds of biomedical waste in any 30-day period. These permitted facilities are inspected annually. 

Facilities which generate biomedical waste (hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, laboratories, funeral homes, dentists, veterinarians and physicians) are some of the facilities that may require an annual operating permit. This annual operating permit is $55.  Facilities that produce less than 25 pounds of biomedical waste in each 30-day period and can document this for a minimum of one year can apply for an exemption from permitting and fee requirements, and are inspected every three years.  These facilities must still meet  the other requirements found in Chapter 64E-16, Florida Administrative Code.

Both the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection have responsibilities under this program. The Department of Environmental Protection has primary responsibility for biomedical waste incineration and final disposal. The Department of Health has primary authority and responsibility for facilities that generate, transport, store, or treat biomedical waste through processes other than incineration.

Part of the Biomedical Waste Program is the Body Piercing Program, which is regulated through the county Health Departments.

For more information on this program, contact Cris Childers at (352) 334-7930 or write to:

Cris Childers
c/o Alachua County Health Department
224 SE 24th Street
Gainesville FL  32641

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