Transporting Infectious Waste

Do I Need a License?

Do I need an Infectious Waste Transportation License?

Haulers that transport infectious waste likely need to obtain a transportation license from the Department of Natural Resources if stopping to collect, drop off or transfer the infectious waste within Wisconsin.

You need an infectious waste transporter license if you:

• Transport more than 50 pounds of infectious waste in any calendar month.

You do not need an infectious waste transporter license if you:

• Transport less than 50 pounds of infectious waste per calendar month.
• Transport your own infectious waste on your own private roads using vehicles or covered carts you own or lease.
• Are the United States Postal Service or parcel carrier service (for which infectious waste is an incidental portion of business) and handle infectious waste sent through the mail.
• Transport infectious waste through Wisconsin without collecting, dropping off or transferring the infectious waste.
• Maintain a hazardous waste transportation license and only transport infectious waste that is also regulated as hazardous waste.
• Transport human tissue that is interred or cremated under the direction of a licensed funeral director.
• Transport tissue being used for research until it is no longer used for research. If the tissue meets the definition of infectious waste at the point of disposal, infectious waste transporter requirements apply.
• Transport animal tissue processed by a rendering plant.
• Transport wastes that have passed through a publicly owned sewer treatment system.

Applying for a License

Applying for an infectious waste  transporter license

Once you have determined you need an Infectious waste transportation license, you will need to fill out an application.

Each location at which a business bases vehicles (i.e., stores or parks overnight most of the time) within Wisconsin must be licensed as a separate location. If you store or park vehicles at more than one location or are based outside Wisconsin, contact your DNR regional licensing, reporting and compliance specialist to determine if you need more than one license.

Preparing to apply

Before filling out a license application, have the following information ready:

• Name of transporter (usually the company or business name)
• Name of licensee (can be an individual at the company or the company itself)
• Name of owner
• Ownership type (private, state, county, local or federal)
• Contact information for primary contact
• Address where vehicles will be kept
• The materials that you expect to haul are categorized by waste codes. Refer to Waste Types for License Applications and Renewal Forms. On the application, list all waste codes you expect to haul on a regular basis.
• Counties that you will be operating in.
• Facilities you will be hauling waste to.
• Information about the vehicles that will be hauling the waste, including license plate number, state, make, model and year.

Finally, fill out the Social Security Number/FEIN Collection Request (Form 9400-568) to submit with your application. The DNR is required by state statute to obtain each applicant’s social security number or, if the applicant is not an individual, the applicant’s federal employer identification number (FEIN), before issuing or renewing a license.

Having this information before attempting to fill out the application will save time and reduce confusion while filling out the application. If you have any questions about hazardous waste transportation, contact your DNR regional licensing, reporting and compliance specialist.

Licensing Fees

The fees for an Infectious Waste Transportation license include a base fee of $253 and an additional $22 for each vehicle listed on the license. Refer to the table below for an outline of the fee structure. Make checks payable to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Submitting Your Application

To apply for an infectious waste transporter license, submit the following by email or mail to the DNR regional licensing, reporting and compliance specialists.

• Infectious Waste Transportation License Application (Form 4400-205)
• Social Security Number/FEIN Collection Request (Form 9400-568)
• Payment

Operating Standards

Owners and operators must do all of the following:

• Not harm surface water, groundwater quality or wetlands. Review s. NR 502.04, Wis. Adm. Code, for more details.
• Properly dispose of all putrescible waste within five calendar days after ceasing to accept waste.
• Properly dispose of all non-putrescible waste within 60 calendar days after ceasing to accept waste.

GENERAL STANDARDS FOR INFECTIOUS WASTE HAULERS

• Maintain a DNR infectious waste transportation license.
• Haul infectious waste only to facilities that are licensed or approved by the DNR to store or treat infectious waste, facilities that are allowed to operate without a license, or out-of-state facilities.
• If hauling more than 50 pounds of infectious waste in a month from a single generator, maintain manifests or U.S. Department of Transportation shipping papers.
• Sign and deliver manifests to the next person who handles the waste.
• Retain a copy of both the infectious waste manifest when the waste was removed from the generator and certification of treatment for at least three years. These must be provided to the DNR upon request.

STANDARDS FOR THE VEHICLES AND CONTAINERS

• Each vehicle must have “WDNR” followed by the license number displayed on the driver’s side door. The numbers may be painted or affixed decals and should be at least 2 inches high and easy to read.
• Vehicles and containers must be durable, easy to clean and kept in good repair. The waste storage area of the vehicle must be completely enclosed to prevent littering, spills or leaks. Depending on the moisture content of the waste, the container must also be leak-proof.
• Do not use dumpsters or roll-offs to haul infectious waste.
• Clean and disinfect the waste storage area of vehicles before transporting other materials besides infectious waste.
• Clean vehicles and containers to prevent nuisances and nuisance odors. Take additional steps to prevent nuisances from developing, such as storing infectious waste below 42 degrees Fahrenheit until treated. 
• Have a written copy of a contingency plan for spills or accidents in all vehicles. 
• Each vehicle must have tools and materials to manage spills or accidents per your contingency plan. If a spill contains a hazardous substance, visit the DNR Spills page for more information and additional steps you may need to take. 

STANDARDS FOR CONTAINING AND HANDLING INFECTIOUS WASTE

• Sharps must be stored in rigid, puncture-proof containers labeled with the biohazard emblem or the words “biohazard," “sharps" or “infectious waste." 
• Infectious waste other than sharps must be securely sealed in plastic bags that meet tear resistance standards or in rigid reusable containers. Refer to s. NR 526.07(2)(a), Wis. Adm. Code.
• Bagged infectious waste must be placed in a rigid container, such as a cardboard container or covered cart, and this container must be labeled “biohazard” and have the biohazard emblem. Bulk containers must be small enough for a single person to handle. 
• Do not open secured waste containers that are packed for transport until immediately before treating the waste unless you need to re-package the waste to prevent spills or leaks. 
• Reusable containers must be disinfected once emptied. Reusable sharps containers may not be opened, emptied or cleaned by hand. 
• Containers must be handled and transported in a way that prevents the loss or spilling of the infectious waste.
• Infectious waste must be handled in a way that prevents nuisance conditions, including odors.
• Infectious waste must be loaded and unloaded by hand or by a safe mechanical method that cannot damage or spill containers.
• Untreated infectious waste may not be compacted.

NOTIFY THE DNR WHEN YOU’VE HAD A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN SERVICE

If your company will have a significant change in service, you must contact your DNR regional licensing, reporting and compliance specialist 30 days before implementation. For unplanned changes, contact the DNR within 30 days of implementation. You may be asked to give this notification in writing or by updating a license renewal or application form. Significant changes requiring notification include:

• adding, removing or replacing a vehicle;
• changing the destination to which the infectious waste is hauled;
• expanding your service area into another county; and
• terminating service.

You do not need to notify the DNR if you’ve had changes in customers or in your routes. 

Renewals and Revisions

RENEWING OR REVISING YOUR LICENSE

Infectious waste transportation licenses are annual licenses that must be renewed each year. The license period begins Oct. 1 and expires Sept. 30.

The DNR uses email to start the renewal process, so it is important to keep your contact information up to date to make sure you get the information you need. If at any point you need to change your contact information, reach out to your regional DNR licensing, reporting and compliance specialist.

License Renewal Process

Step 1: In the first week of September, you will receive an email from DNRWALicenseRenewals@wisconsin.gov with a unique link to renew your license electronically. The DNR recommends adding this address to your address book to ensure you receive the email.

Step 2: Follow the link in the email. Complete all sections, indicate if you will pay online or by mail, and submit the renewal form.

Step 3: Your total fee will be displayed at the bottom of your renewal form and is due at the time of renewal. If you choose to pay online, you will be directed to the DNR’s E-Pay system. If you choose to pay by mail, mail a check and a printed copy of your completed renewal form to your regional DNR licensing, reporting and compliance specialist. Mailing checks to the wrong address or without a copy of the renewal form may significantly delay the issuance of your license!

Step 4: You will receive a confirmation email, including a copy of your license, after the license renewal form and payment have been successfully received.

Revising Your License

You can report changes to information about your business or license using the online renewal form. Information you can change includes business or licensee name, contact changes, adding or removing vehicles, updating hauling destinations or waste types handled.

If you need to revise information outside of the open renewal period, contact your regional DNR licensing, reporting and compliance specialist.

Resources

The DNR offers additional publications and guidance that can assist both inquiring and licensed transporters. Please do not hesitate to contact your DNR regional licensing, reporting and compliance specialist with further questions or concerns.

• Wisconsin’s Infectious Waste Regulations
• Section NR 526.10, Wis. Adm. Code, infectious waste transportation and shipping