Our Treatment Processes
At Daniels Health we believe the environmental implications of our treatment activities are of paramount importance; to minimize carbon footprint, we subscribe to the most environmentally responsible treatment methods for medical waste in accordance with EPA guidelines and only incinerate medical waste where mandated.
As guardians of our customers' cradle to grave waste responsibility, we are committed to performing all treatment in a responsible manner in accordance with legislation, regulations, codes of practice, standards and licence requirements.
Our AutoClave Technology
All Daniels facilities are outfitted with Bondtech full vacuum steam autoclaves, which accept up to seven large carts per treatment cycle and heat the contents at an average temperature of 285°F using pressure of 30 psi. Our autoclaves are powered by natural gas and use a boiler to generate steam for treatment of the waste. The process for operation is as follows:
Weigh & Scan
Trained waste processing personnel weigh and barcode scan each collector; thereafter the applicable data is recorded against the manifest number and permanently saved electronically.
Sterilization & Loading
At the completion of the (approximate) 45 minute waste sterilization cycle, the autoclave bins are removed from the autoclave and staged for disposal.
Volume Reduction
Waste contents by this stage have been reduced (melted) and comingled with all other waste, representing a volume less than 50% of the original volume.
Landfill Disposal
Autoclave bin contents are mechanically emptied into a 35 cubic yard self-contained (completely sealed) waste compactor for final landfill disposal.
State of the Art Autoclave Technology
Wherever possible, Daniels Health opt for non-incineration
treatment technologies that support sustainability targets.
THE PROCESS OF TREATING REGULATED MEDICAL WASTE
Trained Waste Processing personnel weigh and barcode scan each and every collector and the applicable data is recorded against the manifest number and permanently saved electronically. The collectors are opened and the bagged waste contents are emptied into a 4’ x 4’ x 4’ lined stainless steel autoclave bin which, when filled, is placed into the autoclave for high temperature / high pressure steam sterilization.
At the completion of the (approximate) 45 minute waste sterilization cycle, the autoclave bins are removed from the autoclave and staged for disposal. By this stage the waste contents have been reduced (melted) and comingled with all other waste and represent a volume less than 50% of the original volume. Any waste identification labels have been either completely destroyed by the high temperature and/or illegibly covered with melted plastic liners. Upon completion, the plant adds the final signature to the manifest certifying the destruction of the waste.
Autoclave bin contents are then mechanically emptied into a 35 cubic yard self-contained (completely sealed) waste compactor for final approved landfill disposal. Upon arrival at approved municipal landfill, the landfill operator digs a hole at the working face and the compactor contents are emptied into the hole. The landfill operator then covers the treated RMW with a minimum of 12 inches of ground cover or other waste, which is then compacted and continuously covered with more waste, until that area of the landfill is considered filled to capacity.
