Here is a list of 10 useful tips for pre-processing of medical waste to get the best from your waste management process.
- Segregate wastes at the source to minimize the volume of actual regulated medical waste (RMW).
- Isolate RMW that must be incinerated; depending on local regulations, at least a small portion of biohazardous waste, including sharps, may have to be incinerated.
- Include pathological wastes and wastes contaminated with small amounts of chemotherapy substances.
- Minimize the quantity of PVC plastics, products, and packaging that are going to incineration.
- Recycle plastics to the maximum extent possible.
- Do not incinerate mercury wastes, including spill cleanup material.
- Manage CFC-containing wastes separately from incineration wastes.
- Do not include acetone or acetates as these may ‘flash’ under certain conditions
- If waste has high moisture content (over 40%) drying the waste first will dramatically improve efficiency.
- Ensure all correct PPE is used by ALL operators and ensure waste is correctly bagged prior to incineration.
