The University of Georgia has agreed to pay a $20,000 fine for burning medical and infectious waste in three on-campus incinerators.

In a consent order between the university and the state Environmental Protection Division, which was signed late last month, the school also agreed not to burn medical and infectious waste in any incinerator "until such time as the University has obtained the necessary permits."

The Athens Banner-Herald reported that UGA stopped burning medical waste last summer after being notified by the EPD that the school was in violation of state regulations.

The university's air quality permit allows UGA workers to burn pathological waste such as animal remains, but not medical and infectious waste, the newspaper reported.

The university has applied for permission to resume burning medical and infectious waste in its incinerators.

About the Author

Featured

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney — pictured during a hearing Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 — has cleared the way for Georgia's State Election Board to obtain Fulton ballots and other documents from the 2020 election. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC