Medical Waste Solutions – Driven by Safety

 

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.

 

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How to Dispose of Medical Waste

 

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:

 

Identify and Segregate 

 

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.

 

Use Proper Containers

 

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.

 

Where Does Medical Waste Go? Professional Collection Options 

 

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.

 

What Happens to Medical Waste? Treatment and Disposal

 

Wondering what happens to medical waste? Depending on its categorisation, medical waste may undergo different treatments:

 

High-Risk Waste

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.

 

Lower-Risk Waste

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 infections but categorised as lower risk. Sterilisation helps in safely repurposing or disposing of the waste without the environmental impact associated with incineration.

 

Environmental Considerations 

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.  

 

How to Handle Medical Waste with Sharpsmart

 

Effective medical waste management is essential to maintain safety and compliance. Sharpsmart offers comprehensive solutions that include:

  • Point-of-Use Disposal: Our solutions aim to provide disposal at the point of use, minimising infection transfer risks and optimising waste segregation. Our Sharpsmart reusable sharps containers, Clinismart containers and Bag to Bed System are designed to achieve safety and efficiency.
  • Education and Optimisation: Successful medical waste management hinges on staff education, correct bin placement, and point-of-use disposal. 
  • Innovative Solutions: Our IN64 Clinismart system modernises healthcare waste management by reducing labour, preventing infection transfer, and improving waste segregation.

 

Contact Us for Your Medical Waste Disposal Needs

 

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.

 

Contact Us

 

Clinical Waste Management | What Sharpsmart will deliver

TREATMENT + DISPOSAL

We handle sharps collection as well as all other clinical waste streams, including Category A waste.

WASTE REDUCTION 

Our innovative Bag-to-Bedside system, waste audits, and online Verify tool can reduce clinical waste volumes by up to 50%.

INFECTION RISK REDUCTION

Our containers feature air-lock seals to minimise odours and prevent cross-contamination.

MOVEMENT EFFICIENCY 

Our mobile carts and foot pedal-operated accessories enable point-of-generation waste disposal.

GREEN IMPACT 

We focus on sustainability through reusable containers, effective waste diversion, and energy-efficient transport and treatment methods.

SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

Sharpsmart solutions meet the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance, protecting your staff and patients.

Medical Waste Types: Aligning with Medical Waste Regulations

 

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:

  • Contains viable microorganisms or their toxins, which can cause disease in humans or other organisms.
  • Contains or is contaminated with biologically active pharmaceutical agents.
  • Includes sharps, bodily fluids, or other biological materials contaminated with dangerous substances.

Medical Waste Solutions: Medical Waste Bags and Containers

 

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.

"Over and above service..."

We are more than happy to work with Sharpsmart. Nothing is a problem and this was recently demonstrated when one of our terminally ill patients wanted to be treated at home. We could not have done this without Sharpsmart who provided us with the necessary equipment, out of hours so the patient could have their wish list. 

Steve Bell, Waste Manager

James Cook University Hospital

"Sharpsmart's impact on efficiency..."

NCUH has been working with Sharpsmart for a number of years and have found the service to be first class. The information received about each product, along with savings made , have been great. Staff have been outstanding in assisting us with any issues we have had and resolving in the quickest time

Nicola Little, Transport Services Officer

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust

"Reduces our footprint..."

The reason why we chose to use the Sharpsmart sharps container was due to the sustainability issues of being able to recycle the actual sharps bin rather than incinerating them and causing more issues with carbon footprint.

June Ayre, Infection Control Matron

George Eliot Hospital

"I would recommend Sharpsmart..."

We have used Sharpsmart's reusable sharps containers since 2004 and have always been given a great service. We have just engaged Sharpsmart for total waste management and are hoping to showcase the Trust for the sustainable waste management practices we have achieved in partnership with Sharpsmart.

Steve Bell, Waste Manager

James Cook University Hospital

"Sharpsmart goes above and beyond..."

Sharpsmart have been a supplier to the Walton Centre since 2010 and over my 24 years in the NHS I have witnessed when contractors provide a service which meets the specification. That is great, however with Sharpsmart - the team go above and beyond. 

Paula Bamber, Head of Procurement

The Walton Centre