Disposing laboratory waste thoughtlessly can be hazardous. One has to make sure to dispose of them properly to avoid consequences. Disposable serological pipets have made this process much effortless. It provides an efficient way to discard the product after use. This guest post speaks about the ethical ways to dispose of serological pipets and avoid adding to hazardous waste from the industry. Here are some ways to discard them in the best way, legally and morally.
There are two facets to disposing of pipets. One has to find if they are biologically contaminated or not to proceed to other processes. Here are disposal systems for both sections:
Biologically contaminated:
Biological contamination refers to contamination by body fluids, nucleic acid molecules, cell debris, and more. They can add to biohazardous wastes if not discarded correctly.
- Cardboard boxes: These boxes are an efficient medium to discard such materials. They are the most basic ways to discard materials but can be ineffective compared to the rest. Since they are prone to leaks, they might infect an individual. They are not disinfectable since they lose shape and get wet, therefore, becoming unusable. Find other alternatives before resorting to boxes. If one chooses to use them, make sure to clean them and frequently empty them. Do not use the same cardboard box again to avoid contamination.
- Post-washing: Do not dispose of the pipets without washing them. Disposable serological pipets are discarded using the provisions within the packets. Wash the pipets using an autoclave in a mass before throwing them. One has to make sure to label the bags they are in. These labels say biohazards or indicate the risk for careful treatment. Autoclave sterilizes the products to make sure they are free of contaminants that can potentially affect an individual. If one does not have the equipment to perform sterilization, use a contractor to collect all the products safely.
Non-Biologically contaminated:
This section of the guest post talks about how an uncontaminated pipet needs discarding. Make sure to gather all the products safely before throwing them. Put them all in a bag comfortably and label them for ease of understanding. This process makes it easier for the cleaners to understand the segregation required while handling the products. Mention that these pipets are not biohazardous waste and can be discarded without prior processes applied to them.
Make sure to tightly wrap the bag around the end of the pipets to ensure there is no transferring of materials. Make sure they do not weigh more than required. Twenty-five pounds is an acceptable weight to be discarded before throwing a new batch out. Place them in a cardboard box and seal them tightly to ensure it does not spill. One has to see that these products are directly dumped into a dumpster with no processes in between as it could be severely dangerous.
One can purchase medical waste disposal boxes even for disposable serological pipets. Sharps are items like syringes that need stringent care for their disposal. However, not much attention is paid to the disposal of pipets since they are not considered sharps by many laboratories. One has to understand that they can equally harm an individual or add to the bio waste within the world, which can cause a lot of ecological destruction.
Invest in the most premium items to practice this disposal since there should be no compromise on safety. Wear gloves and masks while performing such practices to ensure that every affectable part is covered and protected. Ensure the quality of the bags used during the disposal are thick and non-pierceable to seal in any leaks that may occur. Lastly, make sure to hire the right contractors who practice ethical ways of disposal. They must perform standardized practices that are transparent and invest-worthy for a laboratory.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
