FAQ.

Medical waste poses a risk of transmitting infection. It is required by law that the medical waste be treated and rendered non-infectious before it can be disposed of. Therefore, the operation of EcoSteris furthers the goals of managing medical waste in the manner which is most protective of human health and the environment.

Our mailback program is an ideal solution for small waste generators to dispose safely and affordably of sharps, pharmaceutical, and other generated regulated medical waste. The mailback service includes supply of empty containers, prepaid return shipping box, shipment via mail through a shipping carrier, treatment, and disposal. Our program is in compliance with all federal, state/provincial, and local regulations. There is no contract to sign and no additional fees. Tracking information and notifications are constantly provided to our customers to monitor and confirm pickups, delivery, treatment, and disposal.

EcoSteris sterilizer is a GREEN non-burning technology based on clean steam sterilization. There is no added chemicals to treat and dispose of the medical waste.

EcoSteris is permitted by the DHEC (Department of Health and Enviromental Control) to operate its commercial infectious waste treatment facility. The permit will regulate all aspects of the facility, including, but not limited to packaging, labeling, collection, transport, storage, treatment, and disposal of infectious waste. To date, EcoSteris has received the followings permits/authorizations:

• Operation Permit from the DHEC

• Wastewater Discharge Authorization

• Alternative Non-Buring Treatment Technology Approvals

• Transport License to haul medical waste

The used clean autoclaving technology does not generate any pollutants, harmful or toxic materials because:

1. New pollutants are not formed during the treatment process due to its lower operating temperatures compared to traditional burning technologies.

2. No toxic or reactive chemicals are used in the treatment process.

Regulated Medical Waste or Infectious waste is generally defined as waste that is capable of producing infectious diseases. Other terms used include: “Bio-hazardous Waste”,” Biomedical Waste”, “Biological Waste”, or “Red Bags”. This category of waste includes sharps, pathological waste, biological waste, cultures and stocks of infectious agents, animal waste, chemotherapy waste, and discarded infectious medical equipment and parts.

Hazardous waste is defined as waste that may cause or significantly contribute to mortality or serious illness or pose a substantial hazard to human health and the environment if improperly managed or disposed of. Hazardous waste is subject to federal and state regulations. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the waste is considered hazardous if it exhibits one or more of the four hazardous characteristics (toxic, reactive, ignitable, or corrosive), or appears on one of the four hazardous waste list (F-list, K-list, P-list, U-list).

Radioactive waste is waste that exhibits radiologic characteristics such as radioactive decay. It is subject to regulations of states and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).