By Matthew Domser, Hazardous Materials Manager
Weill Cornell Medicine will change its regulated medical waste (RMW) vendor at the end of September 2024. The current vendor, Stericycle, will be replaced by Daniels Health, and this change will affect all labs and practices that generate regulated medical waste, such as “red bag” and sharps waste.
Process changes such as container service may change in some buildings. Currently, only labs located at 1300 York Avenue are required to submit sharps container exchange requests. With the vendor change, sharps generators will likely be installed in other main campus buildings.
Clinical practices—both on main campus and offsite—that utilize wall-mounted containers will require technicians to enter rooms to remove Stericycle sharps cabinets and install Daniels containers. This work will be scheduled according to clinical practice availability to minimize the impact on patient care. EHS will coordinate with lab and practice stakeholders to optimize the transition.
How will EHS continue to inform the community of changes?
EHS will hold in-person and virtual information sessions to introduce changes and demonstrate new Daniels products. Safety Advisors will communicate with labs to provide education and address any space-specific questions. Daniels Health will inform the community of proper disposal and product usage.
We produce regulated animal and/or chemo waste. Will there be changes in packaging requirements?
Packing requirements are anticipated to remain the same. Daniels provides fiberboard boxes similar to those currently utilized at WCM. EHS will coordinate training sessions to review the impact on stakeholder responsibilities should container types change.
How will practices be affected?
EHS will assist with any practice-specific changes, including onsite packing and storage responsibilities. Changes may include exchanging sharps containers in designated areas for final disposal by Daniels Health.
Who can I contact as these changes move forward?
The Hazardous Materials program within EHS and Facilities Management & Campus Operations (formally Engineering and Maintenance) is overseeing this vendor transition. Questions should be directed to Matt Domser, mdo4003@med.cornell.edu, or call EHS at (646) 962-7233.