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Writer's picturePatrick Reagan

Improving Syringe Waste SOP's for a Greener more Sustainable Healthcare Industry

Updated: Feb 16, 2023

A 93% Reduction in Plastic Sharps Containers Carbon Footprint Impact.


Improving Syringe Waste Procedures to Significantly Lower Carbon Emissions


Studies show that incorporating the Sharps Terminator safety device into the syringe processing procedures would significantly reduce the number of Sharps bins used in each location each year.


On average a 93% reduction in plastic bio-waste sharps bins. The reduced sharps containers and associated pickup disposal cost would significantly impact achieving your goal of reducing the carbon footprint.


For example, 29 hospitals and clinics used 193,769 sharps containers in a 30-day time period. During the pilot study and implementation of the deice, they were able to reduce the number of sharps containers needed to 13,564. An average reduction of 93%.


The data:



1. Plastic Manufacturing: How much co2 per kg/ of thick 4mm-plastic sharps containers? 6 kg CO2 per kg of plastic

2. Truck Emissions: 105 g of CO2 per 1 ton of freight.

Reduction in containers would equal less shipping truck emissions.

Delivery of containers to clinics nationwide.

Reduction in frequency of bio-hazard waste collection and disposal.

3. Incineration of plastic

co2 output of burning these plastic containers. Burning plastic emits 2.9 kg of CO2e for every kg of plastic burned.

co2 output for processing and burying these containers in landfills is significant.


Illustration below: In 29 Hospitals in just 30 days, the number of sharps containers not in use would equal 11 times the height of the Empire State Building!


We are already working with several sustainability (Green) teams in the Healthcare Industry. If you would like to know more about lowering your carbon footprint by improving plastic processing, please contact:

Patrick Reagan patrick@sharpsaid.com or Randall Ward randy@rxworkz.com





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