APPA Library

"Strategies for Biomedical Waste Management and Minimization and Tips to Avoid Dumpster Diving"
Author: Ivanovich, MaryKristin
Published In: Facilities Manager
Date: July/August 2004

Discusses the need for developing facilty-specific strategies for biomedical waste management and minimization and avoiding "dumpster diving" (examining representative trash from a given day to look for mismanaged waste).  Defines biomedical waste as "solid waste that is generated during the diagnosis or treatment of human beings or animals, or in research, that poses a potential hazard to human health and the environment when improperly treated, stored transported, or disposed."  Includes a sidebar detailing basic biomedical waste categories.  Provides a history of biomedical waste regulations, requirements for biomedical waste management, strategies on developing effective biomedical waste management plans appropriate to facilities, and ways of reducing biomedical waste.  Stresses the need to provide sufficient biomedical waste management without over-regulating regular wastes.  Provides Biomedical Waste Management process flow diagram and lists common biomedical waste management violations.

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