Are Reusable Sharps Containers Right For You?
When handling medical waste, safety comes first. Using a sharps container gives you ample protection to make sure no one harms themselves with something sharp. A reusable sharps container has many benefits including being cost-efficient, better for the environment, and having more safety features.
First, let’s talk about what a reusable sharps container is. Just as the name suggests, it’s a reusable container that is used for sharp medical objects. Some examples are needles, blades, staples, and broken glass. Sharps containers also contain a bag on the inside to hold the sharps.
If a reusable sharps container doesn’t suit your needs, you can also obtain a disposable sharps container. With this type, you can get rid of the entire container with the sharps inside.
What are the Pros of Reusable Sharps Containers?
Now that you know what a reusable sharps container is and what your options are, let’s go over the pros of using a reusable container.
Cost
One of the most significant benefits of using a reusable container is that you don’t need to replace it every time it gets full. Since you don’t have to buy a new container each time, this will save you money. Also, the reusable containers tend to be bigger than the disposable ones, which means you don’t need to get them serviced as often.
Better for the environment
Being environmentally-friendly is always a great benefit when it comes to any kind of product. When using a reusable container, you don’t have to throw it away after just one use. Not having to get rid of the container decreases the amount of plastic going into the landfill and can even reduce a facility’s carbon footprint.
Has better features – Safer
The great thing about reusable containers is that because they aren’t thrown out, they have extra safety features that a disposable container wouldn’t have. This is because manufacturers don’t want to spend money on these extra features when they are just going to be thrown away.
The features themselves depend on the manufacturer. A few examples are safety locks, overfill protection, and carrying handles.
Are there any cons?
No, but there are certain factors to consider before choosing a reusable sharps container.
Maintaining a reusable sharps container means that because you aren’t getting rid of the entire container, you need to think about how you will keep it clean and safe. Sometimes the bag inside the container can break or a sharp can puncture it. This means you need to have a decontamination process in place to ensure that the container is safe to be used again.
Reusable containers are not for everyone. If you are not producing a large amount of sharps waste, a disposable container may be a better option as they are typically smaller in size.
Now you know about the benefits of using reusable sharps containers and what you need to consider to make an informed decision. If you are ready to make the switch from disposable to reusable, contact AMS Med Waste to get started.
