Environmental impact of hazardous waste: challenges and solutions

Infectious Risk Healthcare Waste (DASRI) represents a major challenge for healthcare professionals and the facilities involved. Their treatment, often complex, is essential to prevent serious health risks. However, beyond the secure management of infectious risks, these wastes also pose a significant environmental problem. How can we limit their impact on the planet while ensuring the safety of populations? Let us explore together the challenges related to DASRI and the possible solutions for more sustainable management. 🌱

The environmental challenges related to DASRI

1. The nature of the waste

The DASRI encompass a wide range of potentially hazardous waste: used syringes, soiled dressings, contaminated medical equipment... These wastes, in addition to being infectious, often contain chemical substances and sometimes radioactive materials, thereby increasing their danger to the environment. If not managed properly, they can pollute the soil, water, and air.🌍

2. Increasing volumes of waste

With the growth of home medical care and the rise of single-use medical devices, the volume of DASRI continues to increase. This exponential growth puts additional pressure on treatment infrastructures, which are often already saturated. On a global scale, it is estimated that healthcare generates about 10% of the hazardous waste produced each year.

3. Specific treatment of DASRI

The management of DASRI requires specific treatment, involving sorting, collection, storage, and controlled disposal stages. In France, a large part of this waste is incinerated, but incineration presents a major environmental issue: it emits greenhouse gases and harmful atmospheric pollutants. Even though specific filters are used, it is difficult to make this method completely neutral for the environment. 🍃

Solutions to limit the environmental impact of DASRI

1. Promote source reduction

Reducing the amount of waste produced is a primary lever for action. This includes optimizing the use of medical devices and promoting reusable alternatives where possible. For example, some sterilizable equipment could replace single-use devices under specific conditions. Encouraging research and innovation in the field of sustainable medical supplies is a promising avenue. 🔬

2. Optimize sorting and collection

A rigorous sorting of waste at the source helps limit cross-contamination between DASRI and other types of waste. This could reduce the volume of DASRI to be treated through costly and polluting means. In France, the regulatory framework imposes specific packaging and secure transport for this waste, but increased awareness among health actors could further optimize this process.

3. Promote alternative treatment technologies

Beyond incineration, more environmentally friendly alternatives are emerging. Sterilization by autoclave, for example, allows the decontamination of certain DASRI before they are sent to landfills, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling certain materials, such as plastics found in some waste, is also an avenue worth exploring further. ♻️

4. Awareness and continuous training

Effective management of DASRI cannot occur without the continuous training of healthcare professionals. By establishing clear protocols and regularly training teams on good sorting and waste reduction practices, it is possible to significantly improve the management of DASRI and reduce their impact on the environment.

5. Digitization of DASRI management procedures

Digital tools like Vesuv can play a central role in the traceability of DASRI, task management, and compliance with current regulations. By automating and centralizing procedures, these tools allow for the optimization of waste management while limiting the risks of errors and non-compliance. This not only facilitates the daily management of healthcare facilities but also ensures better monitoring of environmental actions and their impact.📲

In conclusion: what are the prospects for the future?

In the face of the environmental challenges posed by DASRI, it is crucial that healthcare facilities, governments, and businesses collaborate to find sustainable solutions. While the challenges are numerous, avenues for improvement exist and must be developed with an ethical and responsible approach. Between source reduction, improving management processes, and adopting digital tools, concrete solutions can already be implemented.☝🏻

To learn more about how Vesuv can help you digitize your DASRI management processes, simplify traceability, and comply with current regulations, visit vesuv.fr!🚀