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What to Know Before Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal

Exploring Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Services

When disposing of pharmaceutical waste from your laboratory or healthcare facility, it is essential that it is done in compliance with all waste disposal regulations. In addition to adhering to national and local requirements, proper pharmaceutical waste disposal is imperative for ensuring the safety of laboratory personnel, healthcare facility employees, and community members.

Pharmaceutical waste disposal is a multi-step process. Luckily, there are many professional pharmaceutical waste disposal services available to employ for safe and efficient waste disposal. These services are useful, as they can ensure you meet all disposal laws and regulations as well as safety guidelines. Research to find one in your area that is reliable and fits your specific disposal needs.

It is crucial that you, or whoever is in charge of safety protocol in your lab or facility, make a streamlined plan for pharmaceutical waste disposal to ensure proper disposal every time by every employee. Even when this plan includes employing a pharmaceutical waste disposal service, a clear outline of the process is essential to keep on hand.

Why Proper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Is Important

Proper pharmaceutical waste disposal is necessary for keeping everyone in your work space and your surrounding community safe. Because of the potential severity of improper hazardous waste disposal, several agencies and boards have regulations for properly disposing of these materials. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), State Environmental Protection Agencies, State Pharmacy Boards, and Local Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) all outline specific policies for proper disposal. Failure to follow established protocol can incur violations and penalties from any or all of these agencies, making proper waste disposal even more critical. Waste disposal services will be well-versed in these guidelines and help ensure your lab or healthcare facility adheres to them.

For example, dermal patches, syringes, tablets, and capsules containing pharmaceutical chemicals that need to be disposed of must be done in a particular way, which can be challenging to keep straight. This is another reason why hiring a pharmaceutical waste disposal service can be helpful.

What to Know Before Disposing of Pharmaceutical Waste

Prior to disposing of pharmaceutical waste, generators should ensure that they will receive a detailed list of all pharmaceutical waste disposed of by a pharmaceutical waste disposal service so that their records are orderly. You should also make sure the service you choose is able to pick up and dispose of your waste promptly.

Additionally, be sure you do not miss a chemical by only reading an overview of the pharmaceutical drug or brand name. Reviewing all available information is imperative for confirming that all active pharmaceutical chemicals are disposed of correctly.

Let Vision Environmental Assist You with Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal

Proper pharmaceutical waste disposal is an indispensable aspect of operating a lab or healthcare facility which utilizes regulated pharmaceuticals. Hiring a reputable waste disposal service can help ensure you adhere to all relevant safety protocols. To work with a professional waste compliance service that you can trust, contact Vision Environmental today.