On-site Destruction

When waste is destroyed on-site there is often an idea that the process is cheap, free, or even revenue generating (i.e. steam producing incinerators).  These assumptions often result in medical waste streams with little or no control and volumes much higher than need be.  These high volumes are then used to justify the need for the on-site process because paying an off-site company would be too expensive.

A reasonable target volume for medical waste is from 2 to 3 pounds per active bed per day.  Walsh Waste Tracker^TM clients generally produce 1 to 2 pounds/active bed/day.  Many hospitals with on-site technology are producing at 5 to 10 pounds/bed/day.  (This is a good reason to have a Walsh Waste Audit performed!)

Recently, the EPA began enforcing the regulations concerning medical waste incinerators.  This means that many of the incinerators out there today must be retrofitted with expensive pollution control systems to meet these regulations.  Hospitals are looking at capital expenditure ranging from $400,000 to over $1,000,000 to meet minimum regulations.

Whatever your intentions are, the most cost effective approach to medical waste management is to minimize the need to destroy this dangerous, potentially infectious waste stream. 

How Can the Waste Tracker help?

The Waste Tracker can help by reducing your volume of medical waste, and increasing the regulatory compliance of all participants. 

On-Site destruction?

Waste minimization will result in:

·         less volume through the system, reducing the demands on, and cost of, pollution prevention equipment

·         if you are upgrading to new technology, the ability to "Right Size" your waste stream and minimize the capital equipment required for this volume

·         a safer and easier system to manage

·         the ability to target and eliminate specific problem-causing materials in the waste stream, such as PVC or mercury

No matter what your destruction choice is, minimization of medical waste volume is prudent, and the Waste Tracker is the system that allows you to achieve this goal.

Off-Site destruction?

Waste minimization will result in:

·         the lowest possible costs and volumes for off-site destruction

·         a safer and easier system to manage

·         instantaneous and accurate documentation