Tip Sheet #1

WASTE ORIGIN: Medications, Cleaning Agents, Diagnostic Operations
WASTE TYPES: Discarded medications, broken thermometers, old batteries, spent cleaners, silver (X-ray fixer and film), lead foil, and chromium (developer system cleaners)

WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING METHODS:

• Reduce or eliminate use of medications containing mercury:
  • Use alternatives to dips, wound treatments or vaccines that contain mercury;
  • Take precautions not to allow mercury containing products into drains leading to the sewer;
• Use mercury-free equipment whenever possible:
  • Use digital or electronic sensors and temperature strips instead of mercury thermometers;
  • Have mercury spill kits available in all areas where mercury containing products are used, and have all persons in that area trained in the use of those kits;
  • Phase out mercury-containing batteries in equipment and set up in house battery recycling program;
  • Use rechargeable batteries when possible;
• Review chemical use and storage practices:
  • Hazardous materials and products containing silver, cadmium, chromium, copper, cyanide, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium and zinc, for example, should not be discarded to the sanitary sewer - all such materials should be properly labeled and stored with secondary containment;
  • Eliminate floor waxes and strippers containing zinc;.
  • Eliminate toilet cleaning and disinfection products containing tri-butyl tin;
  • Eliminate carpet and upholstery cleaners containing tri-butyl tin;
• Review X-ray fixer, developer and film management practices to eliminate hazardous materials disposal:
  • X-ray fixer and developer should not be mixed, but should have separate containers and treatment methods - sell or give away spent fixer and developer to a recycling service, usually after 5 to 10 gallons of fixer have been accumulated;
  • Use silver recovery unit for the developing system;
  • Used X-ray film should be placed a in labeled container. Silver recovery companies often take the film also.
• Cleaners for the developer system that contain chromium can be handled in different ways:
  • Use cleaners that do not contain chromium.
  • Find a cleaning service that will clean the developing unit at the clinic and properly dispose of the chromium containing cleaner.
  • Collect and store in a closed plastic container labeled as hazardous waste and contact a recycling service when enough used cleaner has accumulated.

Sources