Even when not required by environmental regulations, the following best practices are recommended associated with medical waste incinerators.
- Segregate medical wastes at the point of generation; do not mix medical or infectious waste with hazardous or radioactive waste. Further segregate wastes into three categories: Sharps, Waste for Incineration and Waste for Other Disposal/treatment options. This will minimize the amount of waste that must be incinerated and possibly keep the incinerator in a lower operating classification, minimizing the regulatory requirements of the incinerator.
- Seek alternative treatments other than incineration for some types of medical or infectious wastes. Sharps can usually be chemically treated and then disposed of as solid waste; in some cases certain biological fluids may be disposed of down the sanitary sewer system if approved by the local waste water treatment plant, other biological fluids may be chemically treated and then disposed of through a sanitary sewer system.
- Be sure medical and infectious waste is properly bagged and/or containerized as close to its source of generation as possible. This will protect those that transport and handle the waste downstream.
- Clearly mark containers as containing medical/infectious waste and be sure markings comply with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
- Store medical and infectious waste near its point of generation to limit the amount the waste must that be handled.
- Review opportunities for waste minimization. Where practical reduce the use of single use disposable plastic items and use washable, sterilizable items that can be reused.