Effects of Biomedical Waste on the Environment

Environment Services

 We can all agree on one thing: improperly disposed of medical waste endangers the health of our ecosystem. Take this truth a step further and ask yourself: does biological waste have an impact on the ecosystem, or is the harm restricted to chemical and toxic exposure? Can a blood-soaked bandage or disposable sharp used to deliver medication cause significant damage if not properly disposed of?


Biomedical waste refers to any waste generated during a diagnostic process, the treatment of a condition or disease, or human or animal immunization. It also encompasses any scientific activities or processes that require biological testing. In essence, it refers to any sort of trash that contains a material that could be contaminated with potentially pathogenic qualities. Infectious characteristics can be discovered in syringes that deliver drugs or chemotherapy. They can be found in bedding, bandages, or clothing that has been contaminated with the blood or bodily fluids of a communicable disease carrier.

Identifying Biomedical Waste
The identification of biological waste is the first step toward effective waste segregation. Regulations governing the identification and methods involved in the separation, treatment, and disposal of such waste were developed in the early 1990s. Biomedical waste is split into several categories:
  • Sharps, blood products.
  • Any trash contaminated with potentially pathogenic human blood, bodily fluids, or blood components.
  • Pathological waste.
  • Infectious waste.
  • Carcasses
  • Trace Chemotherapy Waste
The EPA offers extensive restrictions for hazardous waste generators. State laws also apply. Biomedical waste generators must effectively manage their waste and implement a waste management plan. Some facilities (depending on the amount of medical waste generated monthly) are urged to implement on-site hazardous waste management procedures. Discover more about our cradle-to-grave biological waste management.

How Does Biomedical Waste Affect The Environment?
Improper segmentation of biomedical waste and other medical waste streams from their point of origin can have a cascading impact on the environment, posing risks to people, animals, soil, and water sources. Inappropriate segregation and disposal of biomedical waste have the potential to contaminate sources of groundwater, infecting both humans and animals. From hospital waste and storage containers to landfills, biomedical waste must be securely controlled to keep it away from rodents, birds, and stray animals (as well as humans). This improves the packing and labeling of toxins and aids in the prevention of illness spread among human and animal populations by air, land, or water.

If incorrect healthcare waste management is not properly confined, separated, and burned on-site or off-site, environmental dangers such as hazardous airborne particles can contaminate the air we breathe. Radioactive particles created by diagnostic technologies have the potential to enter a landfill or other sections of the environment, particularly the air. Air pollution spread across vast expanses of inhabited land has the potential to cause a variety of ailments.

Providing Healthcare Safety While Protecting The Environment
We can help with compliance. Trihaz Solutions has several years of experience providing environmentally friendly healthcare waste management solutions that minimize environmental impact, reduce the volume of medical waste going to landfills, and cut sharps injury and treatment costs. Since 2003, Trihaz’s reusable sharps containers have reduced the number of sharps containers that end up in landfills by more than 32 million! This has saved almost 58 million pounds of plastic.

Even simple efforts can help the environment by reducing CO2 emissions and greenhouse gases. Contact us today if you want effective, efficient, and long-term solutions for managing healthcare waste and lowering associated expenses.

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