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How Medical Waste Can Produce Clean Energy

December 9, 2022

Planet Earth with green arrows and leaves on blurred backgroundYou’re likely familiar with the saying, “One man’s junk is another’s man’s treasure,” but could you ever imagine that one person’s medical waste could help power another person’s home or business? It seems like science fiction, but medical waste is already being used to create clean energy.

Because there is no shortage of medical waste that needs to be responsibly disposed of, so it’s a sustainable source of energy. Here’s how it works:

Gasification

The process of gasification is where solid or liquid medical waste is converted into a gaseous or liquefied fuel that is burned to release energy. Did you know that gasification powered one million motorized vehicles in Europe during World War II when petrol was too expensive and in short supply? Today, our hospitals and medical facilities create tons of medical waste every day that needs to be disposed of in a safe and environmentally-friendly way. Medical waste disposal companies operate to fulfill that mission and help healthcare organizations properly dispose of their waste.

Reducing Landfill Waste

Medical waste isn’t just ordinary waste. It can carry infectious diseases and hazardous and toxic substances. So, when medical waste is used produce clean energy, the process requires separating recyclable and toxic materials before gasifying the rest, keeping all of the medical waste out of the landfill. Not only is it good to reduce the amount of waste being sent to the landfill, but this process also keeps contamination from seeping into the earth and groundwater.

Recycling

Medical waste contains a great deal of metal, such as needles, clips, and hooks. These are made of steel, aluminum, and other recyclable metals. When medical waste is turned into energy, these metals are removed, autoclaved, and recycled, and no longer pose risks to the environment. Energy is created and waste is recycled. That’s a win-win!

Creating Energy

Energy is a valuable commodity, and medical waste generates a significant amount of energy. In fact, just one ton of waste can generate enough energy to power a home for one month. Studies have shown that, prior to 2020, hospitals created almost 6 billion tons of medical waste annually in the US. That amount of waste converted to energy takes a significant burden off of other methods of energy production.

What to Do with Your Medical Waste

If your health care organization produces or handles any kind of medical waste, the law mandates that you properly dispose of that waste according to a strict set of regulations. Using the services of a reputable medical waste management company will help keep your organization compliant and protect the health of your community.

GreenServ provides a full suite of legally-compliant medical waste management services. We will tailor your service options and pickup schedule to meet the specific needs of your organization. For more information, call us at 662-533-0940 or complete the form on this page. Our friendly experts are standing by to answer all of your questions.

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