Based on available public news and regulatory reports, the number of medical waste incinerators in the United States has dramatically decreased over the past few decades. In 1988, it is estimated that there were over 6,200 such incinerators nationwide. Today, however, due to stricter environmental regulations and the adoption of alternative treatment methods (such as autoclaving and microwave treatment), only about 30 medical waste incinerators remain in operation in the U.S. citeturn1search4
This sharp decline reflects an industry-wide shift toward safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly waste treatment technologies. The reduction―from thousands to a few dozen units―illustrates the impact of regulatory changes, public health advocacy, and innovations in waste management practices over the years.
While the exact number can vary slightly by source and over time, the consensus from recent articles is that the current operating count is on the order of a few dozen, underscoring a major transformation in how healthcare waste is treated in the United States.
Comments are closed