A new bill at the Capitol seeks to tackle the illegal disposal of medical waste at regular waste facilities, a problem highlighted by a FOX 9 investigation.
Bill targets illegal waste disposal
What we know:
The bill proposes more inspections at regular waste facilities to ensure they are not receiving medical waste. It also introduces fines that increase for repeat violations, aiming to deter hospitals and other facilities from improper disposal practices.
Employees at the Ramsey-Washington Recycling and Energy Center have encountered unexpected deliveries of medical waste, including human body parts and infectious materials, over the past few years. This bill aims to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The backstory: The issue first came to light three years ago when employees at the recycling center reported seeing medical waste mixed with regular garbage. Although the problem temporarily subsided after FOX 9’s coverage in 2023, it has since resurfaced, prompting legislative action.
Potential impact on hospitals
What they’re saying:
Rep. Wayne Johnson believes that increasing fines will compel hospitals to take waste disposal more seriously.
‘Something has to be done’: Bill targets infectious, illegal waste dumping
