Noodlebox 'ebola-waste' infographic

HOW TO MANAGE EBOLA WASTE Regulated medical waste (RMW) includes blood and other contaminated items, pathological and microbiological waste, and sharps. With the treatment of Ebola, items such as patient bedding and employee personal protective equipment may also be treated as RMW. Other waste from a medical setting that is not considered infectious – such as food waste, office waste and other items not contaminated in some way – generally can be treated like municipal solid waste (MSW). EBOLA REGULATED WASTES GOWNS & BLOOD & BLOOD PRODUCTS GLOVES BEDDING NEEDLES, SYRINGES & CULTURE SLIDES ARE PUT IN SHARPS CONTAINERS SOFT WASTE SHARPS WASTE in the U.S., regulated medical waste must be packaged, handled and then transported following federal regulations to an off-site treatment facility where treatment will inactivate any infectious material. From there, the material is disposed. The Department of Transportation has established these more robust packaging, handling and transportation regulations for Ebola contaminated waste: AT MOST HOSPITALS Secure first bag inside a second bag and tie it shut Place infectious Disinfect Disinfect waste in bag outside of outside of and tie it shut tied bag second bag Manually transport rigid containers for transport (may not use forklift or other machinery) Place bags into rigid container Disinfect outside of rigid container Ebola-associated waste is transported for treatment by approved technology, most typically through incineration or heating in an autoclave. Ebola can be inactivated by heating for 30 to 60 minutes at temperatures of 140°F (60°C) or higher. Autoclaving providers test their equipment to ensure complete destruction of the virus. 871°C- 982°C 1600°F- 1800°F INCINERATOR facilities AUTOCLAVE 53 in the U.S. 325°F 163°C 85% receive and handle medical waste for incineration, of RMW is 140°F 60°C - 60°C including 13 privately owned facilities. processed through autoclave technology, which uses pressurized steam-injection at temperatures between 275-325°F There is no risk of infection (135-163°C) to sterilize the waste. 140°F- Incineration is the heavily regulated high-temperature "burning" of the waste at from any emissions associated with properly temperatures of approximately 1600°F (871°C). treated Ebola waste. AFTER TREATMENT, neutralized and therefore the virus in Ebola waste is no longer considered to be regulated medical waste. This waste, following inactivation of the virus, can be safely transported and disposed in the landfill or waste management facility designated to receive solid waste, following state rules and regulations that exist for all MSW. All movements of waste are tracked by the federal government and monitored for safe disposal. SOME hospitals and medical facilities do have on-site autoclaving or incineration capabilities, making the aforementioned protocols for the packaging and transportation of Category A waste in these facilities unnecessary. Ebola waste is being managed in strict adherence to the safety protocols established by U.S. government agencies for the handling, transportation and management of Ebola contaminated waste. By following these protocols, we are confident that our members can safety handle and transport Ebola waste without putting industry employees or the public at risk. The healthcare waste management industry is handling Ebola related waste with the utmost attention to safety for all Americans, starting with the industry's own employees and members of the communities we serve. A Healthcare waste companies have a long history of managing regulated medical waste. By following established Ebola-specific government protocols for safe handling, transportation and treatment, our members will similarly protect people from the dangers of Ebola waste. For more information, visit www.wasterecycling.org/ebola National Waste & Recycling AssociationsM Collect. Recycle. Innovate.