Before the Medical Waste Tracking Act (MWTA) was enacted in the 1980’s, which shaped EPA medical waste regulations as we know it, BWS founder and President Ray Krell was cleaning and managing waste at local doctors’ offices and hospitals in the Baltimore area. After various incidents where he and his employees were exposed to dangerous and harmful materials on the job, Ray knew he needed to take measures not only to improve his own safety but also the safety of the customers he served. In his garage in the early 1970s, Ray collected containers like coffee cans to provide his customers a safe receptacle to dispose of needles and other sharps. As medical waste started to wash up on the beaches of New York, New Jersey, and other east coast shore areas, regulations were put in place to protect people and the environment.
That’s how BWS was born. More about our story.
BWS was formed after Ray recognized the need to develop safer medical waste management strategies for customers, the community, and our environment. He began by offering medical waste pick up, disposal, and specialized treatment services to doctors, dentists, and medical facilities all over the Mid-Atlantic region. As EPA regulations developed and evolved, they helped to educate his clients on new rules and implement safer, compliant practices.
Over the years, Ray has partnered with family members to hold true to his values of keeping a business truly family-owned and operated. Ray's cousin Kevin Miller joined the operation as Vice President to continue growing the business for many years before retiring from BWS in 2021. In 2011, Trey Krell, son of Ray, joined the team following his college graduation. With Trey's direction, the business has evolved from just hauling medical waste, to processing the medical waste in-house, offering a complete “cradle-to-grave” disposal solution for the many customers around the region. In spring 2021, Trey was promoted to Vice President continuing to oversee all operations initiatives, sustainability innovations, and growth opportunities.
At BWS, we see value in the long lineage of inherited knowledge passed down through generations of work while partnering with regulatory agencies to be at the forefront in shaping future promulgation that improves safety for our customers, our employees, and our communities.
Ray Krell, President, starts BWS out of his home garage
BWS becomes incorporated in the State of Maryland and expands its service coverage across the Mid-Atlantic
BWS breaks ground on first 5,000 square foot building in Baltimore, MD to facilitate future operations expansion
BWS installs industry-leading autoclave equipment to begin treating and transferring regulated waste
BWS installs industrial-sized shredder with large volume capacity
BWS leases first warehouse in Brooklyn, MD to operate its business
BWS outgrows Brooklyn facility capacity and relocates to larger operations in Hanover, MD
Baltimore, MD operations building expands by an additional 5,000 square feet to begin in-house waste processing capabilities
BWS installs medical waste container sterilization conveyer washer line enhancing their sustainability practices.
BWS expands it’s shredding services adding state-of-the-art mobile shred trucks to their fleet
To evolve the standards in the waste industry and continually make a positive impact on our environment; by working with people and partners that are committed to building a long legacy based on experience, knowledge and commitment to superior service.