Frequently Asked Questions About Us and Our Work

About Medical Waste

About Medical Waste

Who is a generator of medical waste?

Medical waste originates from many places including hospitals, physicians offices, dental practices, blood banks, veterinary hospitals/clinics, medical research facilities and laboratories, nursing homes, tattoo parlors and more.


Are bio-tubs reusable?

Yes, bio-tubs are reusable. We pick up the dirty ones and replace them with a clean, sanitized tub.


Are sharps containers reusable?

No, sharps containers are completely destroyed and replaced by a new container. Sharps containers are a one time use.


Are bio-tubs reusable?

Yes, bio-tubs are reusable. We pick up the dirty ones and replace them with a clean, sanitized tub.


May we put aerosol cans into a medical waste container?

No. We can not accept aerosol cans. These cans may explode during the destruction process and cause damage to equipment. Never put these cans into your biohazard container.


Can we put a broken glass with blood on it into a red bag?

No. Absolutely no broken glass goes into a red bag. Sharp edges may puncture the red bag liner and easily harm you or one of your staff. Please place into a rigid, puncture-proof sharps container.


What if the medical waste begins to smell bad?
Call us, and we will come to pick it up ASAP.


Do we have to put the caps back on the needles?

No. Never recap needles. It endangers your health and isn’t necessary. Simply drop the entire syringe into an approved sharps container.


Do we need placards on our waste storage room doors?

Yes, you must display proper signage. Bio-hazard placards identify where you keep your waste and keep unauthorized people out. MWEE can provide you with placards in both English and Spanish.


Where do we put our medical waste containers?

Your containers should be placed somewhere inaccessible to the general public such as a closet, a storage area, a boiler room, etc. If you need help determining the right place.

About MWEE

About MWEE

Why should I use a pickup service instead of a mail-in service?

If you put your material in the mail, how do you know it’s been disposed of properly? The answer is that you don’t know. And you are liable for your medical waste even after it leaves your facility. MWEE helps reduce that liability. We use only insured and inspected vehicles. We also properly treat the waste and help to ensure compliant disposal, so you don’t have to worry.


How is the waste treated at MWEE?

MWEE uses steam sterilization for most medical waste, so there is no contamination to the environment. Waste from chemotherapy and pathology is incinerated.


How do I know what service I need and how much it will cost?

MWEE is committed to giving each client service that is customized to their needs. Fill out our questionnaire or call us to get answers to all of your medical waste questions.


What kind of medical waste do you pick up?

MWEE picks up sharps, pharmaceutical, biohazard, pathology, chemo, outdated medical records, red bag, dental traps and more.


How does MWEE bill?

After transport, treatment, tracking and disposal, we send you back a signed document letting you know that the job is complete. Only then will you receive a bill for your records.


What if we get inspected and can’t locate our documentation?

Just call MWEE and we will send you a copy that proves the waste has been properly disposed.


Where is MWEE located?

Our headquarters are right here in Santa Maria, Ca. We do pick ups from Paso Robles all the way down to Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley.


Do you treat your own waste?

Yes, we treat our own waste. Unlike most places, what we pick up, we treat. Your risk goes down because we do the right thing.


How many treatment facilities are there in California?
MWEE is one of less than a dozen facilities in California. Most companies are just haulers, not treatment facilities and as such can not truly guarantee the proper disposal and treatment of your medical waster


Can I talk to a real person at MWEE?

Yes, in a world of giant corporations, a maze of prompts and voicemails, we answer each and every call. We take the time to answer your questions.


Who owns and runs MWEE?

MWEE is family owned and operated. We take great pride in keeping the Central Coast of California clean and beautiful for over a quarter of a century.


Are you truly an expert in the field of medical waste disposal?

Yes, after 25 years in the business, we are among the nation’s foremost experts on the pick up, treatment and disposal of medical waste. In fact, MWEE, as one of the first medical waste disposal companies in California, we are pioneers in the industry.


How do we get started with MWEE?

All of our services are customized to your needs, not ours. Once we get to know more about you, we can help. Take a moment to fill out our brief questionnaire regarding your current medical waste needs. Or, just give us a call at 805.925.6633.


Where do we get sharps containers?
MWEE offers a wide selection of sharps containers at very economical prices.


What day will you pick-up?

Our routes vary. Call MWEE to discuss pick up options for your area.


How do we know what medical waste MWEE picked up?

Once your biomedical waste has been picked up and treated or disposed of, we will provide a certified copy of your order.


What if we need more medical waste containers?

We will gladly provide you with as many containers as you need. Just give us a call.