At Sharpsmart, we specialise in providing first-class solutions for the management and disposal of medical waste. This is most commonly referred to as clinical waste disposal in the UK.
Our methods optimise safety while driving waste volume and cost reductions. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare, we have the expertise, licensing, and compliance knowledge to manage clinical waste effectively, ensuring healthcare facilities meet legal requirements for their safety and regulatory responsibilities.
Request a quote or contact us and secure your medical waste disposal needs.
Ensuring safe medical waste collection, disposal, and management is a critical component of infection control and prevention within healthcare facilities. Compliance with these protocols not only ensures public safety but also minimises the environmental impact of medical waste, which can be significant if not managed properly. For more information regarding what precisely constitutes medical/clinical waste, visit our knowledge centre.
Here are detailed steps detailing how to dispose of medical waste:
Correctly identifying the type of medical waste at the point of generation is essential. This involves using colour-coded bins or sacks to segregate waste according to its hazardous properties. Proper segregation is crucial as it determines the appropriate treatment and disposal method required.
Place all identified medical waste into designated containers that are built to safely contain and secure this type of waste. Sharpsmart offers a range of containers, such as sharps containers for needles and other sharps waste, and Clinismart units for other medical waste types. These containers are designed to minimise the risk of spillage and exposure during the storage and transportation phases. We also cater to bagged waste streams with our space-efficient Bag to Bed System.
Regularly scheduled pickups by certified waste contractors that specialise in handling medical waste are essential. These services are equipped to deal with various types of medical waste, ensuring that it is transported and treated according to legal and safety standards. This step is vital for safeguarding public health and complying with local and national regulations.
Wondering what happens to medical waste? Depending on its categorisation, medical waste may undergo different treatments:
Waste that poses the highest danger to public health or the environment requires treatment through high-temperature incineration at an authorised facility. This method effectively neutralises harmful pathogens and chemicals, reducing the risk of any adverse environmental impact.
Medical waste that poses a lesser risk can be treated using methods such as sterilisation. This alternative treatment is adequate for waste derived from patients with known infection
s but categorised as lower risk. Sterilisation helps in safely repurposing or disposing of the waste without the environmental impact associated with incineration.
It's important to consider the environmental implications of medical waste disposal. Waste that cannot be recycled or repurposed typically ends up in controlled landfill sites. However, with effective segregation and treatment, the amount of waste sent to landfills can be significantly reduced, minimising the overall environmental footprint.
Effective medical waste management is essential to maintain safety and compliance. Sharpsmart offers comprehensive solutions that include:
For secure, compliant, and efficient medical waste disposal services, contact Sharpsmart today. Call us directly or fill out our short form, and a team member will get back to you promptly.
We handle sharps collection as well as all other clinical waste streams, including Category A waste.
Our innovative Bag-to-Bedside system, waste audits, and online Verify tool can reduce clinical waste volumes by up to 50%.
Our containers feature air-lock seals to minimise odours and prevent cross-contamination.
Our mobile carts and foot pedal-operated accessories enable point-of-generation waste disposal.
We focus on sustainability through reusable containers, effective waste diversion, and energy-efficient transport and treatment methods.
Sharpsmart solutions meet the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance, protecting your staff and patients.
Sharpsmart's products and services ensure that your clinical waste management plan complies with CQC guidelines and the 2012 Controlled Waste Regulations. These regulations define clinical waste as any waste that:
Our solutions include the use of yellow waste bags for the disposal of infectious waste and our innovative clinical waste bins for point-of-use segregation and disposal. These products are engineered for your safety and peace of mind: to minimise the risk of infection transfer, enhance waste segregation, and improve overall safety and compliance within healthcare environments.
