How to Handle Medical Waste Properly

Hospitals in Vancouver are typically perceived as one of those places that are supposedly germ or waste-free. With the aim of maintaining this image of being reputable, it’s unsurprising that hospitals practice proper medical waste disposal in Vancouver.

However, medical wastes don’t come only from hospitals, healthcare centers, or clinics – even local households could produce medical wastes, too.  Items such as a used syringe and hypodermic needles used surgical gloves and/or sponges, as well as unused or expired medications, are considered medical wastes.

Any substance considered infectious, anything that has come in contact with human blood, or any item used in the process of chemotherapy would also fall on the category of medical wastes.

There are some junk removal companies that attend to only medical wastes. It is important to keep in mind that medical wastes must be handled by professionals because this type of waste is regarded as hazardous. Any person who would accidentally come in direct contact with potentially dangerous or infectious substances can easily be harmed. In addition, improper medical waste disposal in Vancouver is strictly prohibited by the law.

Medications, when disposed of improperly, may pose a threat to the environment too. While prescription drugs are classified as medical waste, there is a different way to dispose of expired or unused prescription drugs.

Luckily, the government has established a program specifically designed to collect unused or expired medications for free called the Prescription Drug Drop-Off Program. The Prescription Drug Drop-Off Program also called the Medication Return program, allows anyone to drop off any unused, expired, or even unwanted drugs. Remember that only medications, vitamins, and drugs for pets are accepted in this program. Other kinds of medical wastes such as used syringe or surgical gloves will not be accepted.

Any type of medical waste should be dealt with the right way to reduce health risks to people and prevent any harm to anyone else or the planet.