FAQ - Common Questions - Medical Waste Destruction

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between pyrolysis, ozone and other technologies?

Autoclaving, ozone, and other waste disposal technologies in use today simply sterilize the waste using steam or chemicals. In addition to their inability to process hazardous medical waste, these technologies make the false claim of volume reduction (not by weight) by merely compressing the waste into a shredded residue which still requires land filling. The PyromedTM system destroys the waste and is fully compliant to process all categories of medical waste, including hazardous; and delivers true volume reduction (by weight), yielding only 7% of the original waste in the form of a non-infectious, inert carbon char which can be safely landfilled.

The Pyromed 550 destroys the waste and is fully compliant to process all categories of medical waste including hazardous, leaving only a 7% (by weight) non-infectious char residue which can be safely landfilled.

Our Innovation Facilities

Facility description and location?

Our system is closed looped and self-contained. Zero liquids are discharged from our facilities. Everything, including the wash down residuals are recycled and destroyed in the system. All PyromedTM systems are enclosed within a secure space and have receiving, storage and staging areas. Staging areas are small and accommodate only the quantity of waste items prepared for immediate destruction. As a result of the EPA and DOE determining the PyromedTM as true Pyrolysis, facilities can be located anywhere within a property zoned for heavy industrial use because our systems are NOT considered incinerators.

Is our facility permitted?
Each facility and its systems will be fully permitted and commissioned under the authority of the state and or Federal EPA depending on its location in order to operate on a continual basis.

Does the PyroMedTM meet EPA and DOE standards?
Yes.

Can our technology produce renewable energy?
Our facility will also demonstrate unique ways to utilize the renewable energy created from the Pyrolysis process by using the high temperature flue gas to create hot water, which can then be directed to a boiler system, thereby transforming exhaust gas into a form of renewable energy. We intend to capture and utilize the available renewable energy created from the destruction process to showcase and establish the benefits of our methods to the hospital.

Is there an on-site option?

Our customers shall have the option – but not the obligation – for us to develop, procure, construct, commission, own and operate a turn-key facility at a customer’s site. We will cover all of the costs associated with the on-site facility and its continued operations in exchange for a fixed price waste supply contract with a term of no less than 5 years.

Scope of Services for Pickup / Hauling

How will the waste be measured?
All waste shall be measured by gross weight at the designated pickup point at each of the hospitals. We will develop and continue to implement all compliance, documentation and record-keeping systems to handle and transport the waste to the destruction facility.

How will the waste be collected and delivered?
Utilizing our third party experienced and licensed hauling partners, we will take the responsibility for all costs associated  with transporting the waste from each pre-designated point to our facility, including all necessary trucks, staff and regulatory compliance to maintain the level of service each customer requires.

What is the rate structure?
Depending on the volume, each customer will pay us a monthly fee to haul, treat and dispose of its medical waste on blended rate structure equal to the current cost minus a negotiated discount to be locked in for the term of commitment with no added fees or service / fuel charges.

What is the contingency plan?
Our facility will maintain 5 days of refrigerated storage in the event of an unplanned outage. We will also develop a supplemental contingency plan to be in place during the term of the contract to ensure the waste removal process continues on a daily basis without disruption.

What waste types?
Waste types are classified as regulated and hazardous medical items.