Why keep buying disposable sharps containers when you can get reusable ones? Believe it or not, sharps containers can be reused if they are correctly designed, handled, and decontaminated. Reusable sharps containers offer numerous advantages over disposable versions.
Benefits of Reusable Sharps Containers
1- Less Garbage In Landfills: Sharps containers are considered garbage after used, and they cannot be reused. They are transported to a treatment facility and autoclaved before being buried in a landfill. Consider how many healthcare facilities generate this type of trash in the United States alone. The volume created is difficult to grasp.We aren't even talking about other sorts of medical waste.
Reusable sharps containers greatly limit the quantity of waste that ends up in landfills. The sharps still make the trek, but the containers do not. This saves thousands of pounds of plastic and cardboard waste that would otherwise go to landfills.
2- Smaller Carbon Footprint: After treatment, the garbage is trucked to the landfill. Consider how many greenhouse gasses are emitted simply by driving to and from the landfill. Using a reusable sharps container reduces pollution in the atmosphere. Your company's vehicle may not be driving to and from the dump, but you are indirectly reducing your carbon footprint.
3- Improved Safety: Safety remains a primary responsibility for you, your personnel, and your patients. Because they will be used for an extended amount of time, they have more safety measures than disposables, such as ensuring you do not exceed the fill line and avoiding injury.
4- Cost-Effective: Reusable sharps containers may cost more up front, but they can save you thousands in the long run. Consider how much you spend on disposable sharps containers. You must pay that fee plus shipping every time you place an order. With reusable ones, you pay once and never have to worry about it again. How to Safely Reuse Sharps Containers
As useful as reusable sharps containers are, there are still laws in place and an appropriate manner to use them. OSHA requires that they never be manually opened, emptied, or cleaned, but rather opened and decontaminated using an automated system. Their plastic should also be thicker, puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and properly labeled and colored.
Given these regulations, you will need to hire a certified organization. They will still take your sharps containers, but they will be cleaned at the treatment center and returned. We propose that you buy two or three sets of sharps containers (depending on the amount of sharps waste your practice generates) to alternate between while one set is being cleaned. Reusable sharps containers may bring numerous advantages. They save money, are safer, and are better for the environment. They're an excellent answer if your practice wants to limit the amount of waste it sends to the landfill.
Reusable sharps containers offer a sustainable, cost-effective, and safer alternative to disposable options, significantly reducing medical waste in landfills and lowering the carbon footprint of healthcare facilities. By adhering to OSHA guidelines and partnering with certified organizations for proper cleaning and decontamination, healthcare providers can seamlessly integrate reusable sharps containers into their practices. This approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also enhances workplace safety and long-term savings, making it a practical and responsible choice for the modern healthcare industry. 
0 Comments