The problem of waste disposal won’t seem to die since it started accumulating during the dawn of civilization. It’s not just the growing volume of domestic waste that’s alarming; hazardous wastes get unknowingly leaked out, spreading infections and contaminations. With landfills almost getting filled to the brim, there is a need for innovative ways to dispose of waste. While looking at options for smart disposal, avoiding infection must share equal priority. With the world teetering dangerously toward a global ecological disaster, there is still something we can do with garbage disposal. Here, we’ll explore some noteworthy solutions that can help address the waste disposal conundrum while reducing infection risks.
Why Proper Waste Disposal Is Imperative
Waste coming from households, healthcare facilities, and laboratories often carries pathogens, making proper waste disposal an environmental and health safety matter. It can be easy to picture what happens when waste is not disposed of properly: people and the environment get sick. Medical waste, in particular, needs stringent disposal protocols to ensure that no mishandling happens to prevent contaminations and disease outbreaks. Domestic waste must be handled carefully as well, as not all sick individuals are confined in hospitals – many of them are staying at home to recuperate. Family members, caregivers, or companions of disease patients staying at home must show courtesy and concern to others by segregating infectious waste items from biodegradable and non-biodegradable ones. The list of reasons could go on almost endlessly, but these two reasons should be compelling enough to move individuals into action.
Sharps Disposal Solutions
Improperly disposed sharps pose a proximal threat to the individuals handling them. The moment protruding needles or scalpels get handled by collectors, these sharps immediately cut through the skin, causing injuries and exposure to bloodborne diseases and pathogens such as hepatitis, malaria, syphilis, and HIV. Using specialized and visibly labeled sharps disposal containers can help contain needles and sharps safely to avoid accidental injuries. For medical and laboratory staff who will be buying containers for sharps disposal, sturdiness, safety, and ease of use should be the top criteria. Choose metal or puncture-resistant plastic containers to prevent needle stick injuries and leaks. Note that no matter how safe waste disposal solutions can be, they are only half-effective if not used properly. Going back to containers for sharps, these should be only ¾ full and should not be reused so that needle sticks are prevented. Trash removal specialists must always take the extra precaution of wearing puncture-resistant gloves when picking up sharp trash containers from collection sites.
Biohazard Waste Management
Utmost care and strict segregation guidelines are warranted in safely disposing of potentially infectious substances like blood, excrement, tissue, or bodily fluids. Cross-contamination is a real danger of improper segregation and a breach of proper handling guidelines. Containers for these wastes should be durable, leak-proof, puncture-resistant, color-coded, and visibly labeled for easy identification and differentiation from regular waste. Contracted medical waste disposal companies that are tasked with collecting biohazard waste take the extra precaution of placing biohazard waste containers inside a second container. From the collection stage, biohazard waste undergoes either autoclaving, incineration, or chemical treatment to neutralize biohazard waste before final disposal.
Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal
While not directly an infection risk, expired or unused medications pose a different kind of public health risk if incorrectly disposed of. Flushing medications down drains or toilets is a big no-no due to possible water supply contamination and adverse effects on local ecosystems. Improper disposal is just as dangerous, as people who find medications lying around might misuse them. Antibiotics must not be improperly disposed of because if used without a prescription, they can lead to bacteria developing antibiotic-resistant strains. Containers for pharmaceutical waste must be puncture and tamper-resistant and should be color-coded according to hazardous or non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste. There are medicine take-back options and local collection programs that facilitate the safe collection and disposal of medications. The proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste involves incineration or inertization to prevent environmental contamination and substance abuse.
Sustainable Waste Disposal Solutions
Note that the word “sustainable” is used here, which is associated with eco-friendly practices. It shouldn’t be confused with sustaining, which is similar to continuing. If possible, we don’t want to continue disposing of unlimited waste that will eventually overrun our planet. Sustainable waste disposal methods are moving to the forefront of waste management approaches of healthcare, chemical, and research industries. Solutions like eco-friendly and reusable materials and biodegradable waste bags can help reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of medical waste disposal. Recycling of glass, plastic, paper, and metal medical items reduces waste and strain on the planet’s finite resources. These recyclable items are thoroughly disinfected to ensure that no contamination or infection occurs.
Training and Compliance
Oftentimes, we are too preoccupied with looking outward for solutions to waste disposal that we fail to realize that it starts within us. In homes, all household members should be trained on waste segregation, especially in identifying hazardous and infectious waste. Healthcare workers and administrators must closely coordinate in requesting training on the accurate identification of medical wastes, appropriate disposal methods, and disinfection and hygiene standards. Hospitals and clinics must also ensure that their waste disposal methods are in alignment with strict quality standards set by state environmental and health departments, EPA, and OSHA. Waste handlers must also undergo regular training to identify types of waste correctly, handle various waste types, and select the most suitable disposal approach. Compliance with local and international regulations should not just be for show; it should also reflect a sincere effort in ensuring that waste disposal practices meet safety standards.
Use of Technology in Waste Disposal
Technology can be a boon to waste disposal by improving efficiency and safety. Robotics and automated waste collection systems promote contactless waste collection, reducing the risks of human collectors contracting infections or getting contaminated. Several smart containers come with sensors that monitor waste levels and schedule alerts for disposal. These and other technologies currently in development are helping make waste management more orderly and keeping waste collectors and processors safe from infectious material exposure.
With the many waste disposal solutions available, there might just be a light at the end of the tunnel for our waste problems. Communities and healthcare facilities need to collaborate in diligently exploring and implementing smart disposal solutions. Public health and reduction of infection risks must remain the primary goal of this endeavor. An investment in proper waste management today reaps a cleaner, safer environment for everyone in the future.
