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Sharps Disposal

The Smarter, Reusable Way
to Safely Manage Sharps Disposal
 

Welcome to Sharpsmart, where safety and sustainability meet exceptional service. Our clinically proven system reduces needlestick injuries by up to 87%, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to disposable sharps containers. If you’re ready to enhance your facility’s safety and efficiency, contact us now.

 

 

Why Choose Sharpsmart for Sharps Waste Disposal?


When we talk about sharps disposal, we're on our A-Game!

Sharpsmart's comprehensive solution combines the world’s safest sharps container with advanced sanitation technology and unparalleled service. Here's how we do it:

  • Safety First: Our container design includes 13 unique safety features, significantly reducing needlestick injuries.
  • Sustainability: Reusable containers reduce waste, supporting eco-friendly practices.
  • Cost Efficiency: Custom scheduling and larger container options lower overall costs.
  • Point of Use Disposal: Convenient disposal at the point of generation minimises infection risks.
  • Regulatory Compliance: We ensure full compliance with all relevant regulations, managing your sharps disposal seamlessly.
     

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How to Dispose of Sharps Waste: The Sharpsmart Difference
 

Disposing of sharps waste correctly is crucial for maintaining a safe and compliant healthcare environment. Here’s how Sharpsmart ensures safe sharps disposal:

  • Segregate Sharps Waste: Always use designated sharps containers for needles, syringes, and other sharp objects.
  • Use Sharpsmart Containers: Our Sharpsmart containers are designed for point-of-use disposal, preventing overflow and minimising handling risks.
  • Regular Collection: Sharpsmart is licensed to handle the collection and transport of sharps across the United Kingdom, and our operational staff are supported by a compliance team that manages all regulations that pertain to the management of sharps waste. We work hand in hand with clinical and portering staff to ensure thorough education is provided for the safe handling, containment, transport and disposal of sharps, thereby ensuring (HTM) 07-01 is adhered to and ensuring the safety of staff in handling contaminated sharps.
  • Education and Training for Healthcare Professionals: We provide thorough education and training for healthcare workers on the safe handling and disposal of sharps.

 

How is Sharps Waste Disposed Of?

 

After identifying what sharps waste is. it's important to understand how to get rid of it correctly.

Sharps waste is disposed of by placing items such as needles, syringes, scalpels, and other sharp instruments into designated sharps containers immediately after use to prevent injury and contamination. These containers are puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and marked with biohazard symbols. They are strategically placed close to the point of care for ease of use. Once filled, sharps containers are securely closed and collected by licensed waste management services for final disposal, which typically involves incineration or autoclaving to neutralise any potential biohazards. This process ensures compliance with UK health and safety regulations and minimises the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens​ (GOV.UK)​​ (HSE)​.

For more detailed guidance, you can refer to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website and the Waste Classification Technical Guidance.

 

Safe and Environmentally Responsible Sharps Waste Management

SAFETY

Designed in collaboration with clinicians, the Sharpsmart has 13 unique safety features which protect staff and patients in the handling and disposal of sharps waste; with global recognition in peer review journals, it is regarded as the safest sharps containment system in the world. 

IMMEDIATE COST REDUCTION

Dramatically reduced costs by customised scheduling, reduction in needlestick injury management, larger container options for volume efficiencies, and eliminating the need to purchase and dispose of single-use containers. 

POINT OF USE DISPOSAL

Save time and labour and minimise infection transfer risk by disposing and segregating sharps waste at point of generation. Sharpsmart's range of accessories include wall mounted or mobile solutions to ensure safer handling at point of care. 

SPACE OPTIMISATION

Sharpsmart's mounting and movement accessories are engineered to optimise space, overcome logistical challenges, provide bulk movement and storage of sharps collectors, and enable point-of-use disposal without the collectors ever touching the ground. 

REUSABLE AND ECO FRIENDLY

Choosing reusable collectors instead of disposable dramatically reduces the volume of plastic and cardboard being sent to landfill

LEAKPROOF AND TAMPERPROOF

Anti-tamper mechanism and odour lock seals ensure contents are sealed from spillage and unauthorised access. The Sharpsmart containers' robust build makes them inpenetrable from protruding needles. 

Sharpsmart manage sharps collection and disposal from hospitals, laboratories, surgical centres and health clinics across the United Kingdom.

 

Syringes and Hypodermic Needles 

Medicinally Contaminated Sharps 

Cytotoxic Contaminated Sharps 

Phlebotomy sharps 

Single-use Surgical Devices 

 

Contact Us for Safer Sharps Waste Management

 

Ready to improve your sharps disposal process? Contact our team for a consultation and discover how Sharpsmart can benefit your facility. Contact us today.

 

Contact Us

Browse Our Clinically Engineered Products

S14 | Sharpsmart Reusable Sharps Container

14 Litre container for sharps contamined with medicinal and chemical products. Fitted with a counterweighted safety tray and 'no-hands' acc...
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S22 | Sharpsmart Reusable Sharps Container

22 Litre container for sharps contamined with medicinal and chemical products; inbuilt gravity-sensitive safety tray and overfill protection
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S32 | Sharpsmart Reusable Sharps Container

32 Litre reusable container for medicinally contaminated sharps; features an inbuilt counterweighted safety tray.
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S14 | Sharpsmart Container for Non-Medicinal Sharps

Sharps container for non-medicinally contaminated sharps, with inbuilt no-hands access safety tray.
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S22 | Sharpsmart Container for Non-Medicinal Sharps

22 Litre Sharps container for non-medicinally contaminated sharps, with inbuilt no-hands-access safety tray.
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S32 | Sharpsmart Container for Non-Medicinal Sharps

32 Litre sharps container for non-medicinally contaminated sharps, designed with an in-built safety tray. 
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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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The Cartsmart

Enabling point-of-use positioning of all Sharpsmart S-Series sharps, cytotoxic and pharmaceutical containers. 
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Cartsmart With Cleanzone Bracket & Tray

Cleanzone Tray enables small items to be transferred between patient environments whilst accomodating point-of-generation sharps disposal. 
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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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Bench Bracket - S14

This bracket solution securely stabilises Sharpsmart S14 containers on a benchtop.
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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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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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Glove Box Holder - Small

Holding up to 3 glove boxes, the holder mounts directly onto the Sharpsmart Accessmart trolley for point-of-use access.
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Glove Box Holder - Large

Holds up to 3 glove boxes, the holder mounts to the side of Sharpsmart Accessmart trolley for point-of-use access.
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Sharpsmarts' Features and Benefits

Outlines the 29 features and benefits of the Sharpsmart sharps disposal system.
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Sharpsmart Regular Operating Instructions

This safe operating procedure instructs users on the use of the Sharpsmart sharps container.
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Sharpsmart Container Brochure

Find out more about Sharpsmart's flagship sharps container, globally unrivalled for safety and needlestick injury prevention
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Sharpsmart - Correct Sharps Disposal

This all in one poster instructs how to safely utilise the safety features of the Sharpsmart container.
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BROWSE ALL PRODUCTS

Additional Information

Risks Associated with Sharps Waste

 

Understanding the risks associated with sharps waste is vital:

 

How Sharpsmart Helps Mitigate These Risks:

  • Clinically Designed Systems: Our sharps disposal containers are optimised for safety and efficiency.
  • Cost Reduction: We help reduce operating costs by up to 30%.
  • Regulatory Expertise: We handle compliance, ensuring you meet all regulations.
  • Infection Control: Our systems and training minimise health risks.

 

"We don’t encounter any issues with container stock..."

“Joanne has been brilliant and supportive with all of the Trust’s sharps needs. Whenever I email about stock, she responds straight away with reassurance and a plan of action to ensure we don’t encounter any issues with container stock.”

Michael Brownjohn, Waste Manager

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

"Major reduction in sharps injuries"

Since the changeover to Sharpsmart, we have seen a major reduction in sharps injuries. The Sharpsmart container has a built in 3/4 full feature that prevents overfilling and is completely secure. The container is much stronger and thicker than disposables and you don't have to assemble them. I used to get complaints daily from various departments about our old system, I can honestly say I can't recall a single complaint about Sharpsmart containers.

Peter Clayton, EVS Director

Fairview Group, Minneapolis

"Would recommend to everyone..."

We are extremely pleased with the service we are receiving from Sharpsmart. The sharps bins are a lot safer than what we were previously using and can be wall mounted really easily. Collections are always on time and consignment notes provided. We would recommend Sharpsmart to anyone and everyone.

Dental Elements, Leatherhead Surrey

"Reducing Needlestick Injuries by 50%..."

The Sharpsmart program has been extremely successful in reducing our needlestick injuries by 50% and their service capability can’t be beat. We are a two hospital system and have enjoyed our decision and their success and will continue to use them.

Paula J Fasick, Director of Materials Management

Upper Chesapeake Health

"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

"Drive Safe Clinical Practices..."

As a product, Sharpsmart has proved its place in the busy hospital environment. The sharps containers are easy to identify, sturdy and secure. Staff love the idea of the carts which ensure sharps can be disposed of safely and immediately after they been used maximising safe clinical practices

Marja Thomas, Infection Control Nurse

University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire

"Consistently clear communication..."

“Ever since my introduction to Joanne Wood (Sharpsmart’s Operations/Customer Liaison) after a positive recommendation from a colleague, she’s been incredibly helpful – providing extra stock we’ve desperately needed at a moment’s notice, and consistently clear communication surrounding our deliveries which has been invaluable.

Jo is a contact I’ve made at Sharpsmart that I feel I can greatly rely upon, and she’s always extremely happy to help.”

Russell Wheeler, Waste and Compliance Officer

NHS Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust

"Amber's support has been invaluable..."

"Being new to waste management within the NHS, Amber’s support has been invaluable – helping me navigate the different regulations and legislation whilst helping our Trust reach sustainability targets and reduce sharps incidents. Amber has built a strong working relationship with us, visiting in person to understand our waste management processes and how we operate. She’s a pleasure to work with and I look forward to strengthening our collaboration over the coming years."

Phil Taylor, Health, Safety & Fire Manager

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

FAQ's

Is there a risk of contamination with reusable containers?
Our robotic washing system ensures all containers are thoroughly sanitised to a high level of disinfection, eliminating the risk of contamination.
How do I know when a sharps container is full?
The regular Sharpsmart sharps disposal containers are fitted with a unique gravity sensitive safety tray. When contents reach the maximum fill level, the safety tray swings into an upright position to prevent overflow and risk of sharps injury from protruding sharps.
Can you guarantee our sharps disposal costs won’t rise?
Yes, provided that the sharps volume data you gave us for the Cost Benefit Analysis included ALL containers used for sharps disposal, costs will not rise further than that agreed upon. Costs can rise however if the institution’s workload rises or procedures involving sharps change.
What about Clostridium difficile? Is there a risk using reusable sharps containers?
No transmission of C. difficile via sharps containers, reusable or disposable, has been reported in the world literature. The CDC state reusable sharps containers are not a source of pathogen transmission, and this has been confirmed in a formal, peer-reviewed Risk Assessment. Furthermore, a recent, multi-centre study examined carriage of C-diff spores on sharps container surfaces in the rooms of C-diff patients, and found no significant difference between reusable and disposable containers. The study also confirmed that when Sharpsmarts were coated with a heavy suspension of C-diff spores, the Sharpsmart Washsmart robotic-washing process removed all spores from the sharps containers.
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