Medical Waste Regulations in Wisconsin (2026)
Generator registration, storage limits, approved treatment, transport rules, and penalties under Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, with the primary statute behind every line.
Wisconsin medical waste rules at a glance
| Governing agency | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
|---|---|
| Primary statute / rule |
|
| Generator registration | Wisconsin does not require routine registration or an EPA identification number for most infectious waste generators, but generators must source-separate infectious waste at the point of generation, keep records of waste sent off site for treatment, and file an annual infectious waste report with the DNR by March 1 unless exempt. Generators who treat 500 pounds or more of infectious waste per day must obtain a treatment facility operating license. [source] |
| On-site storage time limit | Wisconsin sets no fixed maximum number of days for storing infectious waste, but under NR 526.09(4) containers of infectious waste must be removed and emptied as necessary and at least every 90 days, and to prevent odors and nuisance conditions appropriate measures must be taken, including refrigerating the infectious waste below 42 degrees Fahrenheit until treated. [source] |
| Approved treatment methods |
|
| Transport / manifest rules | Unless U.S. DOT shipping papers apply, no person may store, transfer, transport, or treat infectious waste beyond the property where it was generated unless the waste is accompanied by an infectious waste manifest (Wisconsin DNR form 4400-176 or an equivalent), and every person who handles the waste must sign the manifest and pass it to the next handler. Persons transporting 50 pounds or more of infectious waste must hold a DNR infectious waste transportation license for each vehicle, while those transporting less than 50 pounds per calendar month are exempt from licensing but must still meet minimum transport requirements. [source] |
| On-site treatment allowed? | Yes. Generators may treat their own infectious waste on site if they meet the treatment standards in NR 526.11 and the treatment facility requirements in NR 526.12, and generators treating fewer than 500 pounds per day are exempt from the treatment facility operating license while still meeting operating, testing, and recordkeeping requirements. [source] |
| Penalty range | Under Wis. Stat. 289.96(3)(a), any person who violates ch. 289 or any rule, plan approval, license, or special order issued under it shall forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $5,000 for each violation, and each day of continued violation is a separate offense. The court may also award the Department of Justice reasonable investigation and prosecution costs. [source] |
What is unique about Wisconsin
Wisconsin pairs cradle-to-grave infectious waste handling with a mandatory waste-reduction program that most states lack. Under NR 526.16 through NR 526.22, hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes that are not exempt must write, implement, and make publicly available a medical waste reduction plan, conduct waste audits, and file progress reports. Wisconsin also sets no fixed storage day count, instead requiring containers to be emptied at least every 90 days and using a 42 degrees Fahrenheit refrigeration trigger to control odors and nuisance conditions (NR 526.09).
Frequently asked questions
Which agency regulates medical and infectious waste in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates infectious and medical waste under Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 526, with the underlying infectious waste definition set in Wis. Stat. ch. 287, s. 287.07.
How long can infectious waste be stored in Wisconsin, and does it need refrigeration?
There is no fixed maximum number of days. Under NR 526.09(4), containers must be removed and emptied at least every 90 days, and appropriate measures, including refrigerating the waste below 42 degrees Fahrenheit until treated, must be taken to prevent odors and nuisance conditions.
What treatment methods are approved for infectious waste in Wisconsin?
NR 526.11 allows incineration, steam disinfection (including autoclaving), chemical disinfection, mechanical grinding with chemical disinfection, mechanical grinding with heat disinfection (including microwave), gas disinfection (such as ethylene oxide), and other methods that effectively render the waste noninfectious. Infectious waste must be treated before disposal in a landfill.
Do small-quantity generators and transporters need a license in Wisconsin?
Generators treating fewer than 500 pounds of infectious waste per day are exempt from the treatment facility operating license, and persons transporting less than 50 pounds of infectious waste per calendar month are exempt from the transportation license, though both must still meet the applicable minimum handling, transport, and recordkeeping requirements.
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