ObjectiveTo explore the effect of specific labeling method in improving the mixed placing of medical waste in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU).MethodsMedical waste classification of 34 trash cans in the NICU of a hospital between July and December 2014 were investigated, JulySeptember was preimplementation phase of specific labeling, OctoberDecember was postimplementation phase, mixed placing of medical waste between pre and postimplementation phase was compared.ResultsA total of 504 cases of medical waste classification in NICU were investigated, 252 cases respectively in pre and postimplementation phase, 74 cases of mixed placing were found. Mixed placing rates before implementing specific labeling was higher than after implementing （25.40%［64/252］ vs 3.97%［10/252］, χ2=46.187，P＜0.001）; before implementing specific labeling, 57 cases of infectious waste and noninfectious waste were mixed placing, after implementing specific labeling, only 8 cases of infectious waste and noninfectious waste were mixed placing. Mixed placing were mainly performed by trainees for inservice training and interns, accounting for 39.06% before implementing and 50.00% after implementing.ConclusionThe specific labeling for standardizing and managing of medical waste can improve the classification of medical waste in NICU, significantly improve the compliance of all kinds of health care workers to the standard handling of medical waste.