How to sort and recycle hazardous waste
The world was turned upside down by the arrival of COVID-19. A scourge that affected a large part of the world’s population and generated the greatest human loss ever recorded in the history of humanity, after the Black Death. Unfortunately, at present, increasingly deadly variants are emerging, to the great dismay of the medical profession, which is running out of steam. In addition, hospitals – as well as clinics – now produce around fifty tonnes of waste per day around the world, 50% of which is classified in the category of hazardous waste. It is therefore vital to recycle and sort them effectively, in order to avoid any risk of contamination.
Waste from healthcare activities with infectious risks
By definition, waste from healthcare activities with infectious risks is one of the types of risky waste from the medical, pharmaceutical or biochemical field. Generally, they are produced by diagnostic, monitoring and treatment activities (preventive, curative or even palliative) presenting a large infectious risk for humans.
Whether government hospitals or private clinics, all are governed by the texts of federal and state law. The latter stipulates that strict conditions are put in place for the collection and treatment of waste. care activities with infectious risks and that non-compliance with these is punishable by a hefty fine, which can even go up to a few months of imprisonment. The goal for the authorities is to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all. In fact, waste from healthcare activities with infectious risks is dangerous, because it can contain:
- deadly micro-organisms (viruses, bacteria, etc.) that are still viable
- toxins
- remains of highly chemical or bacteriological products
Please note, here are the main products classified as hazardous waste:
- the tubing;
- syringes (with or without needle)
- compresses
- dressings
- catheters
- liquid blood bags
- blood collection tubes
- drains
- suction bottles
- spittoons
- transfusions
The guide to the treatment of waste from healthcare activities with infectious risks
It should be noted that only a professional who has obtained a hazardous waste recycling aggregation from the state of Pennsylvania will be able to condition hazardous waste. Average people are not allowed there given the toxicity and danger to which they are exposed, amd the risk of pollution it carries. Moreover, if necessary, the waste management companies in xxx are at your disposal for the collection and elimination of such hazarous waste (in large or small quantities).
For the rest, here’s how to go about it:
- 1st step: obtain special yellow D.A.S.R.I boxes from a collection point. These yellow boxes last for 3 months before you need to replace them
- 2nd step: at closing, separate waste from healthcare activities with infectious risks from other types of waste by putting them in plastic bags, then putting them in the yellow boxes. Particular attention is required to place the yellow bins away from heat and out of reach of children
- Step 3: Close the boxes and contact your recycling company for collection. You can take them to their center directly, but it is always better to let the experts carry out their work from this point
- 4th step: the yellow boxes will be taken to the recycling center, then destroyed by incineration
The world was turned upside down by the arrival of COVID-19. A scourge that affected a large part of the world’s population and generated the greatest human loss ever recorded in the history of humanity, after the Black Death. Unfortunately, at present, increasingly deadly variants are emerging, to the great dismay of the medical profession,…