What is Sharps Waste and How to dispose it of?

• Posted by Onsitewaste Technologies September 18, 2020 Filed in Business #disposing of medical waste  #sharps disposal service  #sharps waste bin  376 views
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  Sharps waste is a type of biomedical waste which is composed of used “sharps”. These unwanted materials can turn into bio-hazardous waste materials if they are not disposed of properly. These sharps are usually contaminated with treatment chemicals and bodily fluids.

   

  Sharps waste is raising concerns in many countries due to the improper practice of its disposal. Today, this hazardous waste material poses a great threat to human health and other living beings due to its contagious nature.

   

  Governments around the world have made policies to dispose of this waste. These policies include the usage of specialized sharps waste bin or sharps disposal containers to dispose of this harmful waste.

  Read this blog till the end to know more about the disposal risks of sharps waste.

   

  What are the Qualifying Materials for Sharps Waste?

   

  Sharps waste materials typically include:

   

  • Needles
  • Blades
  • Glass instruments
  • Syringes
  • Razors
  • X-Acto knives
  • Scalpels
  • Scissors
  • Injection devices
  • Lancets
  • Auto-injecting pens
  • Connection needles

   

  What are the Major Sources of Sharps Waste?

   

  The major sources of sharps waste include:

   

  • Individual physicians
  • Delivery rooms
  • Out-patient wards
  • Pharmaceutical developers
  • Chemical stores
  • Operation theaters
  • Research laboratories

   

  What if Sharps Waste is not disposed of properly?

   

  Sharps waste, if not disposed of properly, can potentially spread contagious diseases which include:

   

  • Dysentery
  • Cholera
  • Tetanus
  • HIV
  • Typhoid
  • Hepatitis B
  • Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
  • Giardiasis

   

  How does a Sharps Container help in disposing of Sharps Waste?

   

  • A sharps disposal container is a plastic container used to dispose of sharps waste.
  • It is recommended to immediately place used needles in these disposal containers.
  • Sharps disposal containers are usually available at medical supply companies, pharmacies, health care providers, or at the online store.
  • They are extremely safe and effective for disposal, as they help in reducing the risk of infections and injuries from sharps.
  • These containers are made up of heavy-duty plastic.
  • They are leak-resistant and have tight-fitting which avoids any spilling.
  • It has a puncture-resistant lid that stays upright and stable during usage.
  • Almost every medical facility and laboratory is equipped with sharps disposal containers.

   

  Why On-site Destruction is the best method to completely dispose of Sharps Waste?

   

  • Sharps waste can be completely disposed by using specific on-site disposal equipment or machines.
  • All types of sharps waste, whether it is smaller or larger, are placed in the machine and is disposed of.
  • It is highly beneficial because it can be executed on the site of hazardous waste production.
  • The machines involved in disposal produce zero amounts of harmful emissions, which make this process eco-friendly.
  • This process saves plenty of time by destroying the waste in just one cycle.

   

  Conclusion

   

  Today, sharps waste management has become a great challenge for the government, city administrators, policy planners, and quality assurance. Neglecting the disposal of this bio-hazardous waste can potentially threaten the lives of humans and other living beings.

   

  Never throw away sharps waste in general garbage cans. Always use specialized sharps waste bin or sharps disposal containers to safely throw away this hazardous waste material.