- (a) Stock, dispensing and unit-dose containers. A stock bottle, dispensing bottle, vial, or ampule, not to exceed 1 liter or 10,000 pills, or a unit-dose container, such as a unit-dose packet, cup, wrapper, blister pack, or delivery device, is considered empty and the residues are not regulated as hazardous waste provided the pharmaceuticals have been removed from the stock bottle, dispensing bottle, vial, ampule, or the unit-dose container using the practices commonly employed to remove materials from that type of container.
- (b) Syringes. A syringe is considered empty and the residues are not regulated as hazardous waste under Sections R315-266-500 through R315-266-510 provided the contents have been removed by fully depressing the plunger of the syringe. At healthcare facilities operating under Sections R315-266-500 through R315-266-510, if a syringe is not empty, the syringe shall be placed with its remaining hazardous waste pharmaceuticals into a container that is managed and disposed of as a non-creditable hazardous waste pharmaceutical under Sections R315-266-500 through R315-266-510 and any applicable federal, state, and local requirements for sharps containers and medical waste.
- (c) Intravenous (IV) bags. An IV bag is considered empty and the residues are not regulated as hazardous waste provided the pharmaceuticals in the IV bag have been fully administered to a patient, or if the IV bag held non-acute hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and is empty as defined in Subsection R315-261(b)(1). At healthcare facilities operating under Sections R315-266-500 through R315-266-510, if an IV bag is not empty, the IV bag shall be placed with its remaining hazardous waste pharmaceuticals into a container that is managed and disposed of as a non-creditable hazardous waste pharmaceutical under Sections R315-266-500 through R315-266-510, unless the IV bag held non-acute hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and is empty as defined in Subsection R315-261-7(b)(1).
- (d) Other containers, including delivery devices. At healthcare facilities operating under Sections R315-266-500 through R315-266-510, hazardous waste pharmaceuticals remaining in any other type of unused, partially administered, or fully administered containers shall be managed as non-creditable hazardous waste pharmaceuticals under Sections R315-266-500 through R315-266-510, unless the container held non-acute hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and is empty as defined in Subsection R315-261-7(b)(1) or R315-261-7(b)(2). This includes residues in inhalers, aerosol cans, nebulizers, tubes of ointments, gels, or creams.
KEY: hazardous waste
Date of Last Change: November 17, 2025
Notice of Continuation: December 11, 2025
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 19-6-105; 19-6-106