Can You Recycle Old Medical Supplies?
7/15/2022
Recycling medical supplies may sound risky, but it can be done as long as they have undergone proper measures to ensure their safety.
There are various ways you can choose to do with medical supplies, depending on their type and condition. Here's a look at the ways to recycle or dispose them of and how:
Donating
You can donate medical supplies after fulfilling safety protocols, including the following:
• All medical items must be clean and sanitized.
• The medical equipment should be functioning well or only require minor repairs.
• As much as possible, they must be in their original packaging and not expired.
Proper disposal of medical supplies
Storing broken and hazardous medical equipment can result in accidents, infections, and harm to the environment. Here are the ways to properly dispose of medical tools or supplies depending on their types:
• Medication
Return the unwanted or expired medication to a location that supports a drug take-back program. If you can't find one, read the labels on how to properly dispose of the expired products or flush them down the drain.
• Medical Supplies
Do not throw the needles directly into the trash. Instead, put them in a secured container to reduce the risk of punctures and cuts.
• Medical Equipment
Consider donating if you have unused medical equipment such as wheelchairs and crutches. For electronics, remove the batteries, and drop them at a garbage disposal company or a battery manufacturing facility.
Final Thoughts
Medical waste can be harmful when improperly stored or thrown. You must learn how to manage and recycle them to keep the waste from causing harm to people and the environment.
What to Do with Old Medical Supplies?
Donating
You can donate medical supplies after fulfilling safety protocols, including the following:
• All medical items must be clean and sanitized.
• The medical equipment should be functioning well or only require minor repairs.
• As much as possible, they must be in their original packaging and not expired.
Proper disposal of medical supplies
Storing broken and hazardous medical equipment can result in accidents, infections, and harm to the environment. Here are the ways to properly dispose of medical tools or supplies depending on their types:
• Medication
Return the unwanted or expired medication to a location that supports a drug take-back program. If you can't find one, read the labels on how to properly dispose of the expired products or flush them down the drain.
• Medical Supplies
Do not throw the needles directly into the trash. Instead, put them in a secured container to reduce the risk of punctures and cuts.
• Medical Equipment
Consider donating if you have unused medical equipment such as wheelchairs and crutches. For electronics, remove the batteries, and drop them at a garbage disposal company or a battery manufacturing facility.
Final Thoughts
Medical waste can be harmful when improperly stored or thrown. You must learn how to manage and recycle them to keep the waste from causing harm to people and the environment.