There are many different laws and regulations that need to be considered when thinking about dental waste management. Each state can be different so be sure to research your states laws and rules. When you work in a dental practice there are three main wastes that you should concern yourself with including mercury, silver, and general trash.
To best understand how to implement simple processes in your office to make changes towards being more environmentally conscious you just need to know a few facts. There are some basic regulations in each area. Plus you can find some great tips to help you as well.
One of the most dangerous wastes in a dental office is the dental amalgam which is the material used to make compounds stick. This compound actually has mercury present in it. Only a few dental practices can afford the environmentally conscious mercury free alternatives as they are much more expensive.
Legally it is still okay to dump these wastes into normal water systems. For some dental practices who want to be at the head of the green movement for dental waste management there are some other options. For instance you could save up the materials and dispose of them at a chemical waste facility or you could stop using them all together.
The second harmful waste product that is produced in a dental office is x-rays. There is so much silver in x-rays that they are considered to be dangerous for the environmental well being. There is no way to have a successful practice without the use of x-rays and for now there are no alternative products available.
One way to be more environmentally conscious is to just use the x-rays when they are needed and not as a routine part of the exam. You could also purchase special equipment that allows for you to recycle the silver which might even turn out to be profitable for your office. Obviously recycling the silver is the most environmentally friendly option as of this time.
The last type of waste that you will see in a dentist office is garbage and general office waste. Since strong chemicals are used in the cleaning and sterilization process they should not be disposed of down the drain for fear of fire hazards. Keep in mind that the majority of your garbage could probably be recycled.
All of the paper, plastic and aluminum that comes through the office can be recycled. Further the chemical cleaners should never be dumped down a drain as they could be potentially hazardous. The main hazard here is a fire in the pipe lines.
The easiest thing to implement in the office is also the one that will have the most impact. The recycling movement is catching on around the United States so joining this one is a good step towards making your office more green. In the end you can help to turn wastes into something that is usable.
For many years there has been a lot of media coverage and exposure for the poor dental waste management programs that were in place. Today you can make a difference by making sure that all of the chemicals used in the practice are disposed of properly. Further you can also turn nearly all of your trash into something new through local recycling programs and services.
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