Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Facts

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Visiting the local pharmacy is common enough. Simply picking up the right products does not pose any risks since the packaging is efficient. However, many facilities have employees working with pharmaceutical products and toxic chemicals. 

Waste generation is a common occurrence here. You would have to make sure to find a provider who has expertise in pharmaceutical waste disposal to eliminate health issues. Sure, pharmaceutical wastes can be generated from many sources especially the following:

  • Manufacturing Plants– Such areas generate a lot of wastes with chemical residues being extremely harmful to individuals who come in close contact. There are several physical waste components to be disposed of too. Any unused product or chemical holding vials or bigger containers, mops, and cleaning cloths need to be kept away from the workers and visitors at the plant too. The wastes cannot be discarded nonchalantly and dropped into the trash bin. The risks of water contamination are too great to ignore. It is advisable to hire a competent provider who is aware of the regulations and can help with proper disposal.

  • Health Care Facilities– Almost all health care facilities along with those used to provide extended care have to deal with waste items daily. There are huge amounts of expired drugs and empty containers to discard as well as contaminated items. Patients are often injected with pain-killing drugs and other chemicals to facilitate recovery and comfort. A practical waste disposal solution is required by such facilities to ensure compliance with safety standards. Hiring an experienced provider who is aware of the importance and has enough expertise in waste management can be highly effective

  • Personal care Product Manufacturers– Almost all pharmacies stick cosmetic items including creams, lotions, and perfumes. These products have chemicals that need special treatment when bottles with residues and used wipes need disposal. The water used for washing the bottles is contaminated as well. All of the wastes need specialized handling during disposal.

  • Vet Offices– The clinics and offices providing animal care require the usage of pharmaceutical products that contain large quantities of chemicals.  Such facilities handle an extensive range of procedures while treating pets. Waste generation is enhanced as a result. All the wastes including trace elements and bulk contaminated items need effective disposal without violation of safety standards. 

Pharmaceutical Waste Types

Solid wastes

  • Scalpels, needles, syringes, and shrapnel along with other sharp objects used for manufacture, procedure. 
  • PPE includes gloves, caps, masks, bandages, IV bags, and tubing
  • Unused/expired drugs containing hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals
  • Bottles, blister packs, vials, tubes as well as other empty containers used for holding chemical drugs
  • Medicine administrating devices such as nebulizers, inhalers, and autoinjectors

Liquid Wastes

  • Sludge resulting from the processing of chemicals
  • Solvents used to clean tanks holding the chemicals

The best pharmaceutical waste disposal companies ensure collecting the required wastes and treating them effectively before disposing of the lot after transporting them in vehicles compliant with the services.