The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines medical waste as "any solid waste that is generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals, in research pertaining thereto, or the production or testing of biologicals" ("Medical Waste," 2012). The EPA considers medical waste to be unsafe due to the fact that the waste used in medical treatments is capable of causing and transmitting infections and diseases such as, HIV. Therefore, multiple laws have been made for properly disposing harmful waste by the facilities,which include hospitals and clinics, doctors' offices, labs, nursing homes, schools, and tattoo parlors.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) divides medical waste into three categories. Each category has different techniques for disinfecting and recycling of the medical waste.
Recycling medical waste is an important way to contribute to the protection of the environment and already strained natural resources. By using materials that are already available and processed, recycling improves sustainability, safety and saves hospital resources and money.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) divides medical waste into three categories. Each category has different techniques for disinfecting and recycling of the medical waste.
Recycling medical waste is an important way to contribute to the protection of the environment and already strained natural resources. By using materials that are already available and processed, recycling improves sustainability, safety and saves hospital resources and money.