Disposing of biohazardous medical waste correctly is essential for avoiding potential lawsuits, injuries to your colleagues, and other potentially serious risks. The cost of mitigating this risk, though, can be a high one. There are quite a few factors that determine exactly how expensive of a process this could be for you, but no matter what, you’re likely to be spending quite a bit of money to get the job done right.
Preferred Waste Concepts is a medical waste disposal company with 26 years of experience helping our clients dispose of biohazardous waste in a safe, cost-effective, regulatory-compliant manner, giving us a good sense of which factors contribute most to the cost of this process on average. We’ve previously written on our blog about topics like typical waste disposal methods that companies like ours frequently utilize in their work.
In this post, we’ll break down what’s involved with working with a waste removal company, biohazard waste disposal cost factors which may affect their price, and how regulatory compliance can affect the overall cost of the work.
Working with a waste removal company
Most or all of the money you spend on medical waste disposal is likely to go directly to a waste removal company which you choose to work with. These companies, much like our own, are staffed with experts who are certified to handle and remove your biohazardous waste. Proper certification is a requirement for this kind of work, so you can rest assured that when you’re working with a team like this, the job will get done correctly.
When you decide to hire a waste removal company, you’re typically signing a long-term contract with them which determines their pickup and removal schedule. These contracts are usually multi-year arrangements with a set monthly or quarterly fee. Keep in mind, though, that not all waste management companies necessarily use contracts, or at least may offer other options. If the company works on a service agreement model, it means you’ll be requesting and paying for each waste pickup individually as needed.
Biohazard waste disposal cost factors
Medical waste removal costs between $2 and $20 per pound, on average. However, your overall biohazard waste disposal cost will depend on a few different factors, which include waste type, frequency, volume, and transportation. These elements lead to varying work expenses for the waste disposal company you choose to work with, and those costs will ultimately be passed on to you. The waste type you need removed, for example, may affect the type of equipment needed for the job. Your location will also partially determine their transportation costs, as will the frequency and volume of your waste disposal needs.
Regulatory compliance
Although this isn’t a direct essential cost of working with a medical waste disposal company, hiring a regulatory consultant to analyze your current level of compliance in different areas of your business can potentially be very helpful for avoiding serious risks. At Preferred Waste Concepts, we believe it’s essential to have an OSHA auditor on your side for this exact reason. We’ve written about this topic in greater detail in a previous blog post.
Any certified waste management professionals you work with will get the job done in accordance with health regulations and legal requirements. However, keeping your company consistently compliant in areas like policies and equipment is essential for avoiding potential issues like OSHA fines. That’s why Preferred Waste Concepts offers compliance consulting along with our waste disposal services.
Reach out to our biohazard waste disposal experts
Whether you’re in need of a new, reliable medical waste disposal company or an OSHA audit to ensure you aren’t at risk of any unexpected fines, Preferred Waste Concepts has the expertise you’re looking for. Reach out to us through our contact form or call us at 314-413-7500.