Procedure for Treatment and Disposal of Bio-Medical Waste

Shreya Jain

Shreya Jain

Published on: Dec 19, 2025

Anamika Rathore

Updated on: Dec 19, 2025

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Introduction

The Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016 govern the safe handling, treatment, and disposal of biomedical waste (BMW) in India. Biomedical waste includes potentially infectious materials such as human and animal anatomical waste, used syringes, bandages, infusion kits, and laboratory waste generated during medical activities like diagnosis, treatment, immunization or research in Healthcare Facilities. These rules aim to ensure environmental safety and public health by regulating the proper management of this hazardous waste.

Applicability Provisions

1. Section 6, 8 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. Rule 7 of Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016

Mandatory Requirement

1. Bio-medical waste shall be segregated and managed in accordance with Schedule I.
2. Health care facilities and common bio-medical waste treatment facilities shall comply with the standards outlined in Schedule II.

Procedure

1. Handover to Treatment Facility
   • The Occupier of Healthcare facility is responsible for handing over segregated waste as per Schedule I to a common bio-medical waste treatment facility for proper treatment, processing and final disposal.
   • Lab and highly infectious Bio-medical waste shall be pre-treated using equipment such as autoclaves or microwaves before handing over.
2. On-Site Treatment Facilities
   • Occupier shall not establish an on-site treatment and disposal facility if a common bio-medical waste treatment facility is available within a 75-kilometer radius.
   • If no common treatment facility exists within this distance, occupiers shall install appropriate treatment equipment like Incinerator, Autoclave, Microwave, Shredder before starting operations with prior authorization from the prescribed authority.
3. Use of New Technologies
   • Occupiers or operators intending to use new technologies not listed in Schedule I shall request the Central Government to establish standards and operating parameters.
   • Upon such requests, the Central Government may determine and publish these standards in the Gazette.
4. Requirements for Common Treatment Facility Operators
   • Operators of common Bio-medical waste treatment facilities shall install necessary treatment equipment, including incinerators, autoclaves, microwaves, shredders, and effluent treatment plants, before commencing operations.
5. Use of Plastic Bags for Waste Storage
   • Occupiers shall phase out the use of chlorinated plastic bags within two years from the publication date of Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
   • After this period, chlorinated plastic bags shall no longer be used for storing or transporting Bio-medical waste.
   • Bags used shall comply with Bureau of Indian Standards; until such standards are published, the bags should conform to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2011.
6. Handling Recyclable Treated Waste
   • Recyclables from treated bio-medical waste (e.g., plastics, glass), after autoclaving or microwaving followed by mutilation or shredding, shall be handed over only to recyclers authorized or registered with the prescribed authority.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Occupiers or Operators of common bio-medical waste treatment facilities shall maintain records of recyclable wastes auctioned or sold.
• These records shall be submitted Annually to the Prescribed Authority and shall be open for inspection.