Compliance Assistance & Pollution Prevention in New England

Healthcare: Compliance

Use this site to find information to help you understand and comply with environmental requirements. Keep in mind that this site and its associated links may not list all regulatory requirements that might apply to your healthcare facility. State and local governments may also have additional or stricter regulations than the federal government. For more information contact your state/local agencies.

In addition, many of the links below (e.g., Colleges & Universities, Other/General Information) take you to non-healthcare sites. While the information on these sites may not be specific to healthcare facilities, it may provide useful background and general compliance information.

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This page provides links to non-EPA web sites that provide additional information about Healthcare. You will leave the EPA.gov domain and enter another page with more information. EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of information on that non-EPA page. Providing links to a non-EPA Web site is not an endorsement of the other site or the information it contains by EPA or any of its employees. Also, be aware that the privacy protection provided on the EPA.gov domain (see Privacy and Security Notice) may not be available at the external link.

Information Specific to Healthcare

Profile of the Healthcare Industry, February 2005 (PDF) (155 pp, 1.4 MB)
Designed to give readers an understanding of the major environmental issues associated with the industry. Includes industry background and trends, pollutant releases, pollution prevention, compliance history, voluntary initiatives, and other information.

Healthcare Environmental Resource Center (HERC)
Find pollution prevention and compliance assistance information for the healthcare sector.

EPA Region 2 - Healthcare

Common Violations and Problems Found at Hospitals
EPA Region II has conducted inspections resulting in enforcement actions with penalties.
P2 healthcare Industry
The "Green Team" Promoting Green Construction & Operations
Several Green MOU healthcare examples!

EPA New England Hospital Environmental Assessment Template - An Environmental Compliance & Pollution Prevention Tool (PDF) (8 pp, 86 K)

EPA Medical Waste home page

Pharmaceutical Waste

Managing Pharmaceutical Waste: A 10-Step Blueprint for Health Care Facilities In the United States, Revised August 2008 (PDF) (93 pp, 489 K)
Updated in August 2008, this Guide will help you develop and implement a comprehensive pharmaceutical hazardous waste management program that combines regulatory compliance and best management practices with waste minimization.

Guidance Document: Best Management Practices for Unused Pharmaceuticals at Health Care Facilities DRAFT 8/26/2010 (PDF) (43 pp, 329 K)

EPA 's Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Water
Draft Best Management Practices for Unused Pharmaceuticals at Healthcare Facilities (2010) and the interim study on the subject of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and our Nation's waters. Pharmaceuticals refer to prescription and over-the-counter therapeutic drugs and veterinary drugs. Personal care products refer to products used for personal and cosmetic reasons such as soaps, fragrances, and cosmetics.

EPA letter: Recommendation on the Disposal of Household Pharmaceuticals Collected by Take-Back Events, Mail-Back, and Other Collection Programs, 9/26/12 (PDF) (9 pp. 1.5 MB)

Hazardous Waste Pharmaceutical Wiki
This is an informational website hosted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) to foster engagement and collaboration among members of the healthcare community and stakeholders. The views expressed on this site do not reflect Agency policy or action or the official views of EPA or the federal government.

Pharmaceutical Waste Reduction, University of Wisconsin Extension Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The site offers a searchable database for drugs for which there are documented studies of waste reduction strategies that work. The site describes other strategies facilities might try and offers a process for determining which strategies to try first, based on the facilities’ own priorities. The website was designed to be a collaborative effort. Healthcare facilities and researchers are invited to expand the tool by sharing proven waste reduction ideas via an online form.

Pharmaceutical Waste, Practice Greenhealth page

Albany Medical Center

Summary (PDF) (3 pp. 500 K)
Final report (PDF) (61 pp. 3.1 MB)

Regulatory Interpretations – Healthcare

These links provide information to help hospitals comply with some basic environmental regulatory requirements, but do not include all regulatory interpretations that might be applicable to a facility.