How to Set Up a Medical Equipment Recycling Program in Your Facility

reemjuneh
Mar 10
2 min read

Before implementing a recycling program, it's essential to evaluate the types and volume of waste your facility generates.

Identify recyclable medical equipment:

Diagnostic machines
Surgical tools
Hospital beds
Imaging devices (X-ray)
Electronic medical records devices (computers, tablets, hard drives)

Conduct a waste audit:

Analyze how much equipment is being discarded monthly.
Determine if any equipment can be repurposed or donated.
Identify hazardous components that require specialized disposal.

2. Develop a Recycling Plan and Policy

A structured recycling policy ensures that all staff members understand how to dispose of medical equipment properly.

Establish clear guidelines:

Define what medical equipment can and cannot be recycled.
Create a step-by-step disposal process for employees to follow.
Implement secure data destruction for devices storing patient records (e.g., hard drives, electronic health record systems).

3. Partner with a Certified Medical Equipment Recycler

Not all recycling companies specialize in medical equipment disposal. Partnering with a certified recycler ensures compliance and environmental responsibility.

What to Look for in a Medical Equipment Recycling Partner

- Proper certifications (like EPA)- Secure data destruction services for electronic devices- Pick-up and logistics support to handle equipment removal- Transparency in the recycling process (e.g., documentation, tracking reports)- Compliance with healthcare regulations

Tip: Consider companies like A+ Medical Recycling, which specializes in secure and eco-friendly disposal of medical equipment.

4. Train Staff on Recycling Procedures

Even the best recycling program can fail without proper training. Educate your staff on recycling procedures and best practices.

Conduct training sessions on:

Identifying recyclable medical equipment
Proper disposal and collection procedures
Secure handling of devices with patient data

Setting up a medical equipment recycling program in your healthcare facility is a responsible and strategic initiative. By following these steps—assessing waste, creating policies, partnering with a recycler, training staff, organizing a collection, and monitoring progress—your facility can reduce waste, stay compliant, and promote sustainability.

Ready to Start Your Medical Equipment Recycling Program?

A+ Medical Recycling can help your healthcare facility dispose of old medical equipment responsibly while ensuring compliance and data security. Contact us today to learn more!