This commentary was contributed by Curt Fujii, Regional Engineer for Waste Connections. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. BenitoLink invites all community members to share their ideas and opinions. By registering as a BenitoLink user in the top right corner of our home page and agreeing to follow our Terms of Use, you can write counter opinions or share your insights on current issues. Lea este articulo en español aquí.

Photo posted on social media.
Photo posted on social media.

Editor’s note: BenitoLink reached out to Curt Fujii, Regional Engineer for Waste Connections, on March 12 regarding photos that were posted on social media by a community member of what appears to be medical waste at the John Smith Road Landfill and commenters stating the landfill was not permitted to dispose of such waste. He provided the following statement March 12:

The purpose of this document is to provide clarity and address inquiries and comments circulating on social media regarding the recent unearthing of a small amount of autoclaved medical waste at the John Smith Road Landfill (JSRL).

Human health and the environment: Most importantly, there was no threat to human health or the environment resulting from this incident. This waste undergoes a sterilization process called “autoclaving” before acceptance for disposal at the landfill. 

Treatment process:

What is an autoclave and How does it work? – In the healthcare industry, an autoclave is a machine that uses high pressure steam for a specific period and temperature to kill pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses. This process disinfects the waste before final disposal. 

What types of medical waste can be autoclaved? – The majority of regulated medical waste can be treated through an autoclave, including soiled bandages, gauzes and personal protective equipment. Additionally, sharps, including needles and syringes, are processed in an autoclave.

Where can autoclaved waste be disposed?- After the autoclave treatment process, waste is sent to a landfill or waste-to-energy facility. Since the waste is rendered non-infectious, it is safe to dispose alongside other regular trash. 

Regulatory approval to accept autoclaved medical waste: JSRL has full authorization to receive autoclaved medical waste for disposal in accordance with California landfill regulations. JSRL holds a solid waste facility permit issued by CalRecycle that permits the acceptance of autoclaved medical waste for disposal. Additionally, in accordance with section 3.2.3 of the Joint Technical Document (multi agency joint permitting document), JSRL documents this acceptance, conforming with Section 20880 of Title 27 of the California Code of Regulations.

Local generation and delivery: This autoclaved medical waste is generated and processed locally by Stericycle, located at 1551 Shelton Drive in Hollister, a specialized waste management company.

Incident cause and response: Recent inclement weather conditions led to the unearthing of autoclaved medical waste. Despite JSRL personnel covering the waste with soil, saturated and soft soil conditions resulted in heavy equipment sinking through the saturated soil cover, exposing a small area of unearthed waste. A customer notified JSRL staff of the incident upon leaving the site, and the staff took immediate action to cover the exposed area with additional soil. Subsequently, they conducted a thorough investigation of the surrounding area to confirm the isolated presence of disturbed waste.

Procedural enhancements: To prevent future incidents, JSRL has revised its disposal procedures for autoclaved medical waste. JSRL staff will designate a separate area within the landfill, referred to as a mono-fill, exclusively for the disposal of permitted medical waste. This mono-fill will undergo daily maintenance and receive additional soil cover as necessary to ensure secure containment, minimizing potential exposure risks. This mono-fill area is separate from the residential and commercial disposal areas, avoiding inadvertent contact with this waste. 

Commitment to safety and environmental responsibility: JSRL remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the highest safety and environmental standards. We apologize for any inconvenience or concern resulting from this incident, and we want to assure our customers and the community that we proactively implemented operational changes to mitigate future risks.

In conclusion, the disposal of autoclaved medical waste at permitted facilities, such as JSRL, is crucial for protecting both human health and the environment.

Should you have any further inquiries or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

https://www.stericycle.com/en-us/resource-center/blog/autoclaving-medical-waste-101