Specialised Cytotoxic Waste Solutions
Sharpsmart’s reusable cytotoxic waste solutions drive increased waste diversion safer handling, and effective segregation in oncology centres and hospitals Solutions designed to empower safety and sustainability in healthcare.
Cytotoxic Waste Disposal – Driven by Safety
Sharpsmart has created first-class solutions for cytotoxic waste disposal that are clinically designed to improve segregation practices and minimise cross-contamination.
The safe and compliant disposal of cytotoxic waste is crucial as it’s a clinical waste type possessing one or more of the following hazardous properties: toxic, carcinogenic, toxic for reproduction, or mutagenic. Cytotoxic and cytostatic waste consists of some of the most dangerous drugs used in healthcare and any materials contaminated with them.
At Sharpsmart, we go beyond just collecting your waste. We ensure you have the safest containment solutions in place and work with clinical staff within the four walls of your facility to provide training and education to ensure compliant segregation and safe disposal of cytotoxic waste.
Request a quote or contact us for more details about our cytotoxic waste disposal service.
How to Dispose of Cytotoxic Waste
The cytotoxic waste disposal procedure is best started at the point of care as safe handling and correct segregation in compliance with the Healthcare Technical Memorandum (HTM) 07-01 is essential for protecting human health and the environment. By following these steps, you can ensure safe and compliant disposal:
Identify and Segregate
Disposal begins with correctly identifying cytotoxic waste and segregating it accordingly.
With cytotoxic and cytostatic drugs among the most dangerous used in healthcare, it’s vital to get this right. Correct segregation involves understanding hospital waste bin colour codes and the corresponding EWC codes for your waste.
Use the Correct Bin
There are many different types of bins used in hospitals and healthcare environments, for cytotoxic and cytostatic waste disposal, it’s the purple bags and purple lid containers you’ll need to use. Sharpsmart’s reusable cytotoxic waste containers are a bagless system with a purple lid, and our 64-litre cytotoxic waste containers have a colour-coded sticker.
Where Does Cytotoxic Waste Go? Professional Collection Options
Regularly scheduled pickups by certified waste contractors that specialise in handling various types of clinical waste such as cytotoxic waste, ensuring that it’s transported and treated according to legal and safety standards. This step is vital for safeguarding public health, as well as complying with regulations on a local and national level.
What Happens to Cytotoxic Waste? Treatment and Disposal
As a high-risk waste that poses danger to public health or the environment, cytotoxic waste requires treatment through high-temperature incineration at an authorised facility. This method effectively neutralises harmful pathogens and chemicals, reducing the risk of any adverse environmental impact.
Environmental Considerations
The improper handling of cytotoxic waste poses significant risks to human health and the environment. Effective waste management and compliant segregation isn’t only a regulatory requirement, but also a moral and ethical obligation. By understanding the correct procedures and enlisting the help of licensed specialists, you can minimise your environmental impact and protect public safety.
Cytotoxic Waste Containers | Which Containers Should You Use?
The World’s Safest Reusable Cytotoxic Waste Container
Stop paying to burn every single-use container you fill
Sharpsmart’s mobile and hands-free cytotoxic waste containment system eliminates single-use container purchasing, assembly, bagging and boxing, the associated risks, and the costs of sending every full container to high-temperature incineration. With an inbuilt safety tray for safe sharps deposition and anti-tampering features, our cytotoxic series of containers has set a new benchmark of safety, sustainability and security in an oncology setting.
Cytotoxic Sharps
Our yellow range with purple lids are designed for cytotoxic / cytostatic contaminated sharps. These come in three sizes designed with and without a safety tray.
Cytotoxic Soft Waste
Our light grey 64 Litre container is designed for the collection of all cytotoxic contaminated soft waste such as aprons, IV bags & lines, soiled gloves and dressings.
Browse Our Clinically Engineered Products
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S14 | Cytotoxic Sharps Container
14 Litre cytotoxic container for sharps used in chemotherapy treatment; Inbuilt safety tray makes the container ideal for infusion bays.
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S22 | Cytotoxic Sharps Container
22 Litre cytotoxic container for sharps used in chemotherapy treatment; Inbuilt safety tray makes the container ideal for infusion bays.
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S32 | Cytotoxic Sharps Container
32 Litre cytotoxic sharps container with a counterweighted safety tray; ideal for major sharps use in oncology environments.
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S32A+ | Cytotoxic Sharps Access Plus Container
32 Litre cytotoxic sharps container designed for use in secure oncology settings.
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CT64 | Cytotoxic Waste Container
64 Litre Cytotoxic container designed for cytotoxic / cytostatic waste; ideally suited to oncology infusion bays.
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The Cartsmart
Enabling point-of-use positioning of all Sharpsmart S-Series sharps, cytotoxic and pharmaceutical containers.
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Soft Close 64 Series Accessmart
This mobile trolley enables point-of-use hands-free disposal and the reduction of odour expulsion with its soft close mechanism.
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Locking Wall Bracket – Right Side Lock
With a unique key lock, the Sharpsmart container can be securely mounted and locked to the bracket, eliminating unauthorised removal.
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Bag Grabber – White
This compact bag grabber can be mounted on the back or side of an Accessmart trolley to enable point-of-use waste segregation.
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Side Tray Kit
Affixes onto the size of an Accessmart trolley, holding small procedural items for use in minor bedside treatments.
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The Four Walls Brochure
Introducing you to our four walls approach; driving safety and environmental change from WITHIN healthcare.
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80-20 Trends Audit Flyer
Our 80/20 trends audit focuses on the 20% of departments that produce around 80% of your total waste to determine cost savings and sustainability impact reduction opportunities.
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Verify Waste Identification Flyer
The Verify online waste categorisation platform delivers instant waste identification for point-of-use segregation
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S-Series Floorstand
By preventing tipping or spillage, this floor mounting option enhances stability of Sharpsmart containers.
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Small Delivery Cart
A compact designed cart for transporting multiple Sharpsmart containers; rubber buffers and brakes minimise noise.
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64 Small Internal Delivery Cart
With a compact design, its rubber buffers and brakes minimise noise and enhance multi-container mobility in a busy setting.
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Static Floorstand – 64 Series
With an accompanying foot pedal, this elevated floorstand permits the hands-free opening of Sharpsmart’s 64-series containers.
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Dynamic Floorstand – 64 series
The floorstand’s foot pedal, handle, and wheels enable elevation and short-distance mobility of 64-Series containers.
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Locking Mountsmart
A bracket that enables versatile inward or outward mounting of Sharpsmart containers to allow 90 degree lid opening.
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Standard Wall Bracket
This bracket kit, including screws and hole-plugs, serves as a mounting solution for S-Series Sharpsmart containers.
“Willing to go the extra mile..”
Sharpsmart’s service is excellent; their staff have a strong knowledge of clinical waste management and are always willing to go the extra mile to assist in any operational issues on-site
Louise Wood, Estates Officer
`Cumberland Infirmary`
“Sharpsmart’s impact on efficiency…”
NCUH has been working with Sharpsmart for a number of years and have found the service to be first class. The information received about each product, along with savings made , have been great. Staff have been outstanding in assisting us with any issues we have had and resolving in the quickest time
Nicola Little, Transport Services Officer
North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust
“Smooth Transition, reduced sharps injuries…”
Most people within the NHS will look back and wonder how we managed without Sharpsmart. The planning that went into ensuring that the transition was smooth was well worth the effort, resulting in fewer staff needlestick exposures and sharps injuries.
Specialist in Infection Control
James Paget Hospital
“Market Leader for a Reason…”
Sharpsmart are broadly recognised as the market leader. Having worked with them for 8 months I can see why. You get what you pay for, Excellent!
Chaz Scholefield, Waste Manager
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Trust
“Sustainability is Incredible…”
We’ve used Sharpsmart for over four years. The traceable sustainability of the Sharpsmart containers is incredible.
Clare Topping, Energy & Sustainability Manager
Northampton General Hospital
Additional Information
Risks Associated with Cytotoxic Waste
Typical industry practices of using single-use sharps and cytotoxic waste containers or sacks for the collection of cytotoxic waste increase the risk of spillage and infection transfer due to the flimsy nature of such containment systems that have no built-in seals to enclose contents in case of incident.
Without formal training and a secure containment system that simplifies segregation, unnecessary costs and risks can be incurred. Some of the key concerns include:
- Exposure routes: Cytotoxic drugs can enter the body through skin contact, inhalation, ingestion, or needlestick injuries.
- Health hazards: Exposure can lead to various health issues including cancer, birth defects, infertility, respiratory problems, and skin irritation.
- Environmental impact: Improper disposal can contaminate the environment, posing long-term risks to ecosystems and public health.
Exposure to cytotoxic waste can happen during various activities within the healthcare setting including:
- Drug preparation
- Drug Administration
- Handling patient waste such as bodily fluids, contaminated materials
- Transport and disposal of cytotoxic materials
- Cleaning spills or contaminated areas
How Can Sharpsmart Help?
World-class clinically designed reusable containment systems optimised for safety, sustainability and efficiency.
Proven cost-reduction initiatives | 30% reduction in operating costs, 65% decrease in labour.
Experts in regulatory compliance | We navigate the red tape for you.
Clearly segregated solutions for cytotoxic waste, compliant labelling and expert training to facilitate correct disposal.
Safety and Infection Minimisation is achieved through clinical products and the provision of expert advice in placement and training.
FAQ’s
Let’s Talk!
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