Are You Throwing Money Away with Your Red Bags?

Not all medical waste costs the same to dispose of. One of the biggest misconceptions we see is that every piece of medical waste belongs in a red bag.

It doesn't.

Red bag waste should only be used for regulated medical waste contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials. When non-regulated waste ends up in a red bag, practices often pay significantly more for disposal than necessary.

A few examples of items that typically do not belong in red bags include:
• Office paper
• Food wrappers
• Empty water bottles
• Packaging materials
• General office trash

Proper waste segregation can:
- Reduce disposal costs
- Improve workplace safety
- Help maintain OSHA compliance

Sometimes the easiest way to lower your medical waste bill isn't negotiating your contract—it's making sure the right waste goes into the right container.