Medical Waste Disposal in Buffalo, NY

Are you struggling with medical waste disposal in Buffalo, NY? It’s a common challenge for healthcare facilities, clinics, and labs in our area. Proper disposal is crucial for safety and legal compliance.

We know it can feel overwhelming at times.

We understand the challenges firsthand. As local experts, we’ve grappled with these issues ourselves. Did you know that medical waste makes up about 15% of all waste in healthcare facilities? We’ve rolled up our sleeves and done extensive research to find the best solutions for our community.

In this article, we’ll walk you through medical waste disposal in Buffalo. We’ll cover types of waste, regulations, and best practices. Ready to tackle your disposal dilemmas together? 

Types of Medical Waste

Medical waste comes in many forms. We’ll break down the main types you need to know about.

1. Infectious waste: This includes items that may contain pathogens. Think used bandages, swabs, or cultures from labs. It makes up about 15% of all medical waste.
2. Sharps waste: Needles, scalpels, and other sharp objects fall into this group. They pose a big risk for needlestick injuries and need special handling.
3. Pathological waste: This covers human tissues, organs, and body parts. It often comes from surgeries or autopsies.
4. Chemical waste: Labs and cleaning processes create this type. It includes disinfectants, solvents, and lab reagents.
5. Pharmaceutical waste: Expired or unused drugs make up this category. It can be hazardous or non-hazardous based on the drug type.
6. Radioactive waste: This comes from cancer treatments and certain medical tests. It needs very careful disposal due to its risks.
7. General healthcare waste: About 85% of medical waste falls here. It’s similar to household trash and includes food scraps and paper.
8. Genotoxic waste: This type can harm genes or DNA. It often comes from cancer treatments like chemotherapy.

Now that we’ve covered the types, let’s look at the rules for getting rid of this waste in Buffalo.

Medical Waste Disposal Regulations in Buffalo, NY

After discussing the types of medical waste, let’s explore the rules for disposing of it in Buffalo, NY. Our city follows strict guidelines set by the New York State Department of Health.

These rules are enforced by the Department of Environmental Conservation. They cover all regulated medical waste (RMW) in our area.

RMW includes items that have touched potentially infectious agents. This means things like human blood or infectious microbes. All sharps must go in special containers. These containers must be leak-proof and puncture-resistant.

They’re labeled as RMW for safety. We offer RMW stickers for $18 each, billed every three months.

Proper disposal of medical waste is not just a legal requirement, it’s a crucial step in protecting public health and our environment, says Darrin Bitterman, our Shipping & Receiving Supervisor.

We pick up RMW every Thursday morning. This schedule may change on holidays. Our pickup location is 955 Main Street, Room 1121, Buffalo, NY 14203. Following these rules keeps our community safe and healthy.

Importance of Proper Medical Waste Disposal

Moving from regulations to practice, we must stress the vital role of proper medical waste disposal. It’s not just about following rules; it’s about protecting people and our planet.

We’ve seen firsthand how good disposal methods can make a big difference.

Our data shows that using the right systems can cut down on accidents. For example, the Sharpsmart system has been proven to lower needlestick injuries by up to 87%. This is huge for keeping our staff safe.

We also know that careful handling of chemo waste stops it from spreading. These steps are key to stopping infections and keeping our workspace clean.