How is clinical waste contract lifecycle cost different from the purchase price of containers?

Purchase price tells you what something costs to buy. Lifecycle cost looks at the costs associated with using and managing it over its useful life.

For a sharps management system, that could include container provision, internal handling, collection, processing, replacement, waste treatment, consumables, staff activity, reporting and contract management.

For healthcare waste management, that could include containment and consumables provision, waste segregation training, waste auditing, collection, staff activity, reporting and contract management.

Looking at lifecycle cost can therefore provide a more useful comparison between different service models than purchase price alone.