<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT 10.33




                         REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT NOTE


$15,000,000.00                                                 [city],  [state]
                                                                October 15, 1996


         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, STERILE RECOVERIES, INC., a
Florida corporation (the "Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of FIRST
UNION NATIONAL BANK OF FLORIDA, a national banking association (the "Lender"),
the principal sum of FIFTEEN MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($15,000,000.00),
together with interest on the principal balance remaining unpaid from time to
time at the rates set forth below.

         Revolving Line-of-Credit.  This Note evidences revolving
line-of-credit extended by the Lender to the Borrower on the date hereof (the
"Loan").  Proceeds of this Note may be disbursed by the Lender to the Borrower
and shall be repaid by the Borrower to the Lender in the manner set forth below
in this Note and in accordance with a Loan Agreement being executed by the
Lender and the Borrower on or about the date hereof (the "Loan Agreement").
Proceeds that are disbursed and repaid from time to time shall be thereafter
available for redisbursement under this Note as provided in the Loan Agreement.
Provided however, the principal amount outstanding under this Note shall not at
any time exceed the principal sum shown above, nor the maximum amount permitted
under the terms of the Loan Agreement.

         Term.   The term of this Note is from the date of this Note through and
including August 31, 1999 (the "Term").  The last day of the Term will be
sometimes referred to below as the "Maturity Date".

         Term Loans.   The indebtedness evidenced by this Note shall consist of
two (2) components.  The first component is the revolving line of credit
portion of the Note, and applies solely to any principal indebtedness of the
Note that is not Term Debt (the "Line of Credit Principal").  The second
component is any term loans that may be made from time to time by Lender to
Borrower as provided herein and in the Loan Agreement, which term loans shall
not exceed in the aggregate the principal sum of FIVE MILLION AND NO/100
DOLLARS ($5,000,000.00) (the "Term Debt").  All Term Debt loans ("Term Loans")
shall be on terms and shall be repaid in the manner as set forth in the Loan
Agreement.

         Interest.  The principal balance of this Note remaining unpaid from
time to time, both as to the Line of Credit Principal and the Term Debt, shall
bear interest strictly as provided below.

         Definitions.  As used in this Note, the following terms shall have the
respective meanings indicated:




                                     Signed for Identification            
                                                                          
                                     By:  /s/  Bertram T. Martin, Jr.      
                                         ---------------------------------
                                        The Executive Vice President of Borrower






<PAGE>   2




         (a)     "Additional Interest" shall mean the aggregate of all amounts
                 paid by the Borrower to Lender pursuant to the provisions of
                 the Additional Costs Paragraph below.

         (b)     "Applicable Margin" means as follows:

                 (i)      Two hundred (200) basis points from the date of this
                          Note to one (1) year from the date of this Note;

                 (ii)     One hundred ninety (190) basis points from one (1)
                          year from the date of this Note to two (2) years from
                          the date of this Note; and

                 (iii)    One hundred seventy-five (175) basis points from two
                          (2) years from the date of this Note to the Maturity
                          Date.

         (c)     "Authorized Officer" means any of the President or Executive
                 Vice Presidents of the Borrower, or, with respect to financial
                 matters, the Treasurer or chief financial officer of the
                 Borrower, or any other person expressly designated by the
                 Board of Directors (or the appropriate committee thereof) of
                 the Borrower as an Authorized Officer for purposes of this
                 Note, in each case to be evidenced by documentation reasonably
                 acceptable to Lender.

         (d)     "Base Rate" means, in respect of each applicable Interest
                 Period, the offered rate for deposits in Dollars in the amount
                 of the then outstanding principal amount of the Loan expressed
                 as a percentage and rounded upward if necessary to the nearest
                 1/8 of 1% (which shall be the same for each date of the
                 Interest Period), being offered to major top quality banks at
                 11:00 a.m. London time, on the first day of an applicable
                 Interest Period for settlement in immediately available funds
                 by major top credit quality banks in the London Interbank
                 Market for a period equal to thirty (30) days.  The Base Rate
                 shall be adjusted on the first day of each Interest Period to
                 the Base Rate then in effect, and shall continue until the
                 next adjustment, namely the first day of the following
                 Interest Period.  Such adjustment shall occur automatically
                 upward or downward on each effective date of any change in the
                 rate, and shall be made without notice to the Borrower or any
                 other person or entity.

         (e)     "Business Day" shall mean a day on which Lender is open for
                 business in St. Petersburg, Florida.

         (f)     "Dollars" and the symbol "$" means Dollars constituting legal
                 tender for the payment of public and private debts in the
                 United States of America.

         (g)     "Interest Period" means each number of days that the Base Rate
                 remains constant, with the first day of the Interest Period
                 being the first date of a Base Rate change, and 





                                     Signed for Identification            
                                                                          
                                     By:  /s/  Bertram T. Martin, Jr.      
                                         ---------------------------------
                                        The Executive Vice President of Borrower

                                      2



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                 the last day of each such Interest Period being
                 the last day such interest rate remains in effect.

         (h)     "LIBOR Rate" means, for the Interest Period, the rate of
                 interest per annum determined pursuant to the following
                 formula:

                              Base Rate
                              ---------
                 LIBOR Rate = 1-Reserve Requirement    plus   Applicable Margin

         (i)     "Regulation D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of
                 the Federal Reserve, as the same may be amended or
                 supplemented from time to time.

         (j)     "Regulatory Change" means any change effective after the date
                 of this Note in United States Federal or state laws or
                 regulations (including Regulation D and capital adequacy
                 regulations) or foreign laws or regulations or the adoption or
                 making after such date of any interpretations, directives or
                 requests applying to a class of banks which includes the
                 Lender, under any United States Federal or state or foreign
                 laws or regulations (whether or not having the force of law)
                 by any court or governmental or monetary authority charged
                 with the interpretation or administration thereof; and

         (k)     "Reserve Requirement" means, for the Loan (for any Interest
                 Period) therefor, the average maximum rate at which reserves
                 (including any marginal, supplemental or emergency reserves)
                 are required to be maintained during such Interest Period
                 under Regulation D by the member banks of the Federal Reserve
                 System with respect to Dollar funding in the London interbank
                 market.  Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the
                 Reserve Requirement shall reflect any other reserves required
                 to be maintained by such member banks by reason of any
                 Regulatory Change against (i) any category of liabilities
                 which includes deposits by reference to which the Base Rate is
                 to be determined or (ii) any category of extensions of credit
                 or other assets which include the Loan.

         Additional Costs.

         (a)  The Borrower shall promptly pay to the Lender from time to time,
such amounts as Lender may determine to be necessary to compensate it for any
costs incurred by Lender which it determines are attributable to its making or
maintaining any loan hereunder or its obligation to make any loan hereunder, or
any reduction in any amount receivable by Lender under this Note or any Term
Loan, including reductions in the rate of return on a Lender's capital (such
increases in costs and reductions in amounts receivable and returns being
herein called "Additional Costs"), resulting from any Regulatory Change which:
(i) changes the basis of taxation of any amounts payable to Lender under this
Note in respect of loan (other than taxes imposed on the income of Lender by
any jurisdiction in which the Lender is located); or (ii) imposes or modifies
any



                                     Signed for Identification            
                                                                          
                                     By:  /s/  Bertram T. Martin, Jr.      
                                         ---------------------------------
                                       The Executive Vice President of Borrower

                                      3
                                                             
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reserve, special deposit, or similar requirements relating to any extensions of
credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities of, Lender
(other than any such reserve, deposit or requirement reflected in the LIBOR
Rate, in each case computed in accordance with the respective definitions of
such terms set forth in this Note); or (iii) has or would have the effect of
reducing the rate of return on capital of Lender to a level below that which
the Lender could have achieved but for such Regulatory Change (taking into
consideration Lender's policies with respect to capital adequacy); or (iv)
imposes any other condition affecting this Note (or any of such extensions of
credit or liabilities); provided that, if any such increased cost or reduction
results from any circumstances described in clauses (ii) through (iv) of this
subsection, the Borrower shall not be obligated to compensate Lender for such
increased costs or reductions occurring more than ninety (90) days prior to the
time Lender first notifies the Borrower of such circumstances.  Lender will
notify an Authorized Officer of any event occurring after the date hereof which
would entitle it to compensation pursuant to this Additional Costs paragraph
promptly after it obtains knowledge thereof.

         (b)  Without limiting the effect of the foregoing provisions of this
Additional Costs paragraph in the event that, by reason of any Regulatory
Change, Lender either (i) incurs Additional Costs based on or measured by the
excess above a specified level of the amount of a category of deposits or other
liabilities of the Lender which includes deposits by reference to which the
interest rate on the Loan is determined as provided in this Note or a category
of extensions of credit or other assets of Lender which includes the Loan or
(ii) becomes subject to restrictions on the amount of such a category of
liabilities or assets which it may hold, then, if the Lender so elects, the
obligation of Lender to make the Loan hereunder shall be suspended until the
date such Regulatory Change ceases to be in effect.

         (c)  Determinations by Lender for purposes of this Additional Costs
paragraph of the effect of any Regulatory Change on its costs of making or
maintaining, or being committed to make the Loan or on amounts receivable by it
in respect of the Loan, and of the additional amounts required to compensate
the Lender in respect of any Additional Costs, shall be conclusive absent
manifest error, provided that such determinations are made on a reasonable
basis.  The Lender shall furnish to an Authorized Officer an explanation of the
Regulatory Change and calculations, in reasonable detail, setting forth
Lender's determination of any such Additional Costs.

         Suspension of Loan.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding,
if, on or prior to the determination of any interest rate for the Loan for any
Interest Period therefor, the Lender determines (which determination made on a
reasonable basis shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that:

         (a)  quotations of interest rates for the relevant deposits referred
to in the definition of LIBOR Rate set forth above are not being provided in
the relevant amounts or for the relevant maturities for purposes of determining
the rate of interest for the Loan as provided in this Note; or






                                     Signed for Identification            
                                                                          
                                     By: /s/  Bertram T. Martin, Jr.          
                                         ---------------------------------
                                       The Executive Vice President of Borrower

                                      4
                                                             
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         (b)  the relevant rates of interest referred to in the definition of
"Base Rate" set forth above upon the basis of which the LIBOR Rate for such
Interest Period is to be determined do not adequately reflect the cost to the
Lender of making or maintaining the Loan for such Interest Period;

then the Lender shall give an Authorized Officer prompt notice thereof, and so
long as such condition remains in effect, the Lender shall be under no
obligation to make the Loan.   The Lender shall give an Authorized Officer
notice describing in reasonable detail any event or condition described in this
Suspension of Loan paragraph promptly following the Lender's determination that
the availability of the Loan is, or is to be, suspended as a result thereof.

         Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note, in the
event that it becomes unlawful for Lender to honor its obligation to make or
maintain the Loan hereunder, then Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower
thereof and Lender's obligation to make or continue the Loan shall be suspended
until such time as Lender may again make and maintain the Loan.

         Compensation.  The Borrower shall promptly pay to Lender, upon the
request of Lender, such amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the
reasonable determination of Lender) to compensate it for any loss, cost or
expense incurred by it as a result of any payment, prepayment or conversion of
the Loan on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period for the Loan;
such compensation to include, without limitation, an amount equal to the
excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the
principal amount so paid, prepaid or converted for the period from the date of
such payment, prepayment or conversion to the last day of the then current
Interest Period for the Loan at the applicable rate of interest for the Loan
provided for herein, but excluding loss of margin for the period after any such
payment, failure to borrow or convert, over (ii) the Base Rate (as reasonably
determined by the Lender) for Dollar deposits of amounts comparable to such
principal amount and maturities comparable to such period.  A determination of
Lender as to the amounts payable pursuant to this Compensation paragraph shall
be conclusive absent manifest error, provided that such determinations are made
on a reasonable basis.  Lender shall furnish to an Authorized Officer
calculations in reasonable detail setting forth Lender's determination of the
amount of such compensation.

         Computation of Interest.  Interest on the amount of each advance made
pursuant to this Note shall be computed on the amount of each advance and from
the date of each advance at the LIBOR Rate applicable to such advance.  All
interest on this Note shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed
and on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days, unless the Highest Lawful
Rate would thereby be exceeded, in which event, to the extent necessary to
avoid exceeding the Highest Lawful Rate, interest shall be computed on the
basis of the actual number of days elapsed in the applicable calendar year in
which accrued.

         Interest Period.  Each Interest Period shall commence on the date the
Base Rate changes and shall end at 12:00 o'clock midnight on the date prior to
the next Interest Period.



                                                                         

                                     Signed for Identification            
                                                                          
                                     By: /s/  Bertram T. Martin, Jr.          
                                         ---------------------------------
                                       The Executive Vice President of Borrower


                                      5
                                                             

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         Interest Limitation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note
or of any instrument securing this Note or any other instrument executed in
connection with the Loan evidenced hereby, it is expressly agreed that the
amounts payable under this Note or under the other aforesaid instruments for
the payment of interest or any other payment in the nature of or which would be
considered as interest or other charge for the use or loan of money shall not
exceed the highest rate allowed by law, from time to time, to be charged by
Lender (the "Highest Lawful Rate"). In the event the provisions of this Note or
of any instruments referred to in this paragraph, regarding the payment of
interest or other payments in the nature of or which would be considered as
interest or other charge for the use or loan of money operate to produce a rate
that exceeds such limitation, then the excess over such limitation will not be
payable and the amount otherwise agreed to have been paid shall be reduced by
the excess so that such limitation will not be exceeded, and if any payment
actually made shall result in such limitation being exceeded, the amount of the
excess shall constitute and be treated as a payment on the principal hereof and
shall operate to reduce such principal by the amount of such excess, or if in
excess of the principal indebtedness, such excess shall be refunded.

         Payments.  Principal and interest shall be due and payable and shall
be paid at Post Office Box 44142, Jacksonville, Florida 32231-4142, Attn:
Commercial Loan Department, or at such other place as the Lender may designate
from time to time as follows:

         (i)     Monthly Payments.  Accrued interest shall be due and payable
and shall be paid monthly, commencing on the fifth (5th) day of the month next
following the date of this Note is executed, and on the same day of each
succeeding month thereafter through and including the same day of the month
next preceding the Maturity Date.

         (ii)    Other Payments.  Payments of principal and other required
payments of interest shall be due and payable and shall be paid in the manner
described in the Loan Agreement.

         (iii)   Maturity Date.  On the Maturity Date, all indebtedness 
evidenced by this Note (whether unpaid principal, accrued interest or
otherwise) that remains unpaid shall be due and payable and shall be paid.

         Late Charge.  Any installment not received within fifteen (15) days
when due shall be subject to, and it is agreed that the Lender shall collect
thereon and therewith a "late charge" in the amount of five percent (5%) of the
payment upon each such delinquent installment.  Said "late charge" shall be
immediately due and payable and shall be paid by the Borrower without notice or
demand of the holder hereof.

         Prepayment.  Except as otherwise set forth in the Loan Agreement,
Borrower shall have the option of prepaying all or any part of the principal of
this Note at any time during the term of this Note, without notice, premium or
penalty for the privilege of such prepayments.  Any partial prepayments shall
not postpone the due date of any subsequent monthly installments or change the




                                     Signed for Identification            
                                                                          

                                     By: /s/  Bertram T. Martin, Jr.          
                                         ---------------------------------
                                        The Executive Vice President of Borrower



                                      6
                                                             

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amount of such installments, unless the Lender shall otherwise agree in
writing.  In the event of any full prepayment, all accrued interest and other
charges evidenced by this Note and the instruments of security for this Note
shall be paid at the same time as such full principal prepayments.

         Consent and Waiver.  Each Obligor (which term shall mean and include
the Borrower, each guarantor, each endorser, and all others who may become
liable for all or any part of the obligations evidenced and secured hereby),
does hereby, jointly and severally:  (a) consent to any forbearance or
extension of the time or manner of payment hereof and to the release of all or
any part of any security held by the Lender to secure payment of this Note and
to the subordination of any instrument of security securing this Note as to all
or any part of the property encumbered thereby, all without notice or consent
of that party; (b) agree that no course of dealing or delay or omission or
forbearance on the part of the Lender in exercising or enforcing any of its
rights or remedies hereunder or under any instrument securing this Note shall
impair or be prejudicial to any of the Lender's rights and remedies hereunder
or to the enforcement hereof and that the Lender may extend or postpone the
time and manner of payment and performance of this Note and any instrument
securing this Note, may grant forbearances and may release, wholly or
partially, any security held by the Lender as security for this Note and
release, partially or wholly, any person or party primarily or secondarily
liable with respect to this Note, all without notice to or consent by any party
primarily or secondarily liable hereunder and without thereby releasing,
discharging or diminishing its rights and remedies against any other party
primarily or secondarily liable hereunder; and (c) except as otherwise set
forth in this Note and the instruments of security for this Note, waive notice
of acceptance of this Note, notice of the occurrence of any default hereunder
or under any instrument securing this Note and presentment, demand, protest,
notice of dishonor and notice of protest and notices of any and all action at
any time taken or omitted by the Lender in connection with this Note or any
instrument securing this Note and waives all requirements necessary to hold
that party to the liability of that party.

         Lien.  The Lender is hereby granted a lien upon and a security interest
in all property of each Obligor now or at any time hereafter in the possession
of the Lender in any capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to any
balance or share of any deposit, trust or agency account as security for the
payment of this Note, and the Lender is hereby authorized upon default to
apply, on or after maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) to the
payment of this debt any such funds or property in possession of the Lender
belonging to each Obligor, in such order of application as Lender may from time
to time elect, without advance notice.

         Cross Default.  A default under this Note shall be and constitute a
default under any and all other notes or other evidence of indebtedness and any
instruments of security therefor in which an Obligor is liable and of which the
Lender is the holder (collectively the "Other Notes").  A default under any
other notes or other evidence of indebtedness or any instrument of security
therefor in which an Obligor is liable and the Lender is the holder, including,
without limitation,




                                     Signed for Identification            
                                                                          
                                     By:  /s/  Bertram T. Martin, Jr.          
                                         ---------------------------------
                                       The Executive Vice President of Borrower




                                      7
                                                             

<PAGE>   8


under the Other Notes, shall constitute a default under this Note and any
instruments of security therefor.

         Events of Default.  The happening of any of the following events shall
constitute a default hereunder:  (a) failure of any Obligor to pay any
principal, interest or any other sums required hereunder when due under this
Note; or (b) a default shall occur in any instrument securing this Note or in
any other instrument executed in connection with the Loan evidenced hereby,
which is not cured within the applicable curative period set forth in such
instruments; or (c) a default shall occur under the Other Notes.

         Acceleration.  If a default shall occur hereunder which is not cured
within thirty (30) days, then at the option of the Lender, the entire principal
sum then remaining unpaid and accrued interest shall immediately become due and
payable without notice or demand, and said principal shall bear interest from
such date at the highest legal rate permitted by law, from time to time, to be
charged by Lender; it being agreed that interest not paid when due shall, at
the option of the Lender, draw interest at the rate provided for in this
paragraph.  Failure to exercise the above options shall not constitute a waiver
of the right to exercise the same in the event of any subsequent default.

         Attorneys' Fees.  All parties liable for the payment of this Note
agree to pay the Lender reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, whether or not an
action be brought, for the services of counsel employed after maturity or
default to collect this Note or any principal or interest due hereunder, or to
protect the security, if any, or enforce the performance of any other agreement
contained in this Note or in any instrument of security executed in connection
with the Loan, including costs and attorneys' fees on any appeal, or in any
proceedings under the National Bankruptcy Code or in any post judgment
proceedings.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Note, the instruments
of security, or any other documents executed in connection therewith to the
contrary, the Borrower hereby expressly waive their statutory right under
Section 57.105(2) of the Florida Statutes to receive attorneys' fees in any
cause of action or other litigation based in whole or in part, directly or
indirectly, upon the foregoing documents.  Such waiver by the Borrower
constitutes a material inducement for the Lender to make the Loan to the
Borrower.

         Set Off.  The Obligors shall have no right of set off against the
Lender under this Note or under any instruments securing this Note or executed
in connection with the Loan evidenced hereby.  The Lender, however, shall have
the right, immediately and without further action by it, following a default
hereunder, to set off against this Note all money owed by the Lender in any
capacity to each or any Obligor, whether or not due.

         Borrower.  The Borrower warrants and represents to Lender that it is a
corporation duly formed, presently existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Florida.





                                     Signed for Identification            
                                                                          
                                     By:  /s/  Bertram T. Martin, Jr.     
                                         ---------------------------------
                                       The Executive Vice President of Borrower

 

                                     8
                                                             

<PAGE>   9


         Waiver of Jury Trial.  Borrower hereby voluntarily and irrevocably
waive the right to a trial by jury in connection with any litigation, action or
cause of action arising out of or by virtue of: (i) this instrument; or (ii)
any other agreement or document executed or contemplated to be in connection
with the Loan evidenced or secured hereby, or incident hereto; or (iii) any
course of conduct, course of dealing, representation, statement or other action
of any party in connection with the Loan.  The parties to the Loan have
discussed this waiver, have agreed that it is an essential and material part of
their agreement concerning the Loan, and that no officer or representative of
Lender has the authority to modify, orally or in writing, the terms of this
paragraph.  This agreement shall be binding on the Borrower, and, if
applicable, on all Obligors as defined herein, and constitutes a material
inducement for Lender entering into the Loan transaction.

         Florida Law.  This Note is executed under seal and constitutes a
contract under the laws of the State of Florida, and shall be enforceable in a
Court of competent jurisdiction in that State, regardless of in which State
this Note is being executed.

         Headings.  The headings of the paragraphs contained in this Note are
for convenience of reference only and do not form a part hereof and in no way
modify, interpret or construe the meaning of the parties hereto.

         Documentary Stamps.  Documentary stamps are not due and payable on
this Note.

         Identification.  This Note consists of ten (10) pages, all but the last
of which have been signed only for identification by the Executive Vice
President of the Borrower.




                                     Signed for Identification            
                                                                          
                                     By: /s/  Bertram T. Martin, Jr.         
                                         ---------------------------------
                                       The Executive Vice President of Borrower


                                      9

                                                             
<PAGE>   10

         THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE LOAN EVIDENCED HEREBY IS FOR
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR PERSONAL, FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD PURPOSES.

Signed, sealed and delivered         STERILE RECOVERIES, INC.,
in the presence of:                  a Florida corporation
                                
                                
/s/ [witness]                         By:  /s/ Bertram T. Martin, Jr. 
--------------------------------         -------------------------------------
SIGNATURE                                   SIGNATURE 
 
       [witness name]                          Bertram T. Martin, Jr.
--------------------------------         -------------------------------------

NAME LEGIBLY PRINTED,                       NAME LEGIBLY PRINTED,
TYPEWRITTEN OR STAMPED                      TYPEWRITTEN OR STAMPED
                                
    /s/ [witness]                           Its Executive Vice President
--------------------------------                                               
SIGNATURE                      
 
       [witness name]                    (CORPORATE SEAL)
--------------------------------                                      
NAME LEGIBLY PRINTED,           
TYPEWRITTEN OR STAMPED          
                                
As to Borrower                  

                                
STATE OF    [state]                    )
         --------------------------         
COUNTY OF    [county]                  )
          -------------------------         


                 The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this
15th day of October, 1996, by Bertram T. Martin, Jr., the Executive Vice 
President of STERILE RECOVERIES, INC., a Florida corporation, on behalf of 
the corporation.

PERSONALLY KNOWN _______ OR PRODUCED IDENTIFICATION
TYPE OF IDENTIFICATION PROVIDED _____________________


                                   /s/ [notary]                            
                           ------------------------------------
                                  SIGNATURE

                                   [notary name]                          
                           ------------------------------------
                                  NAME LEGIBLY PRINTED,
                                  TYPEWRITTEN OR STAMPED
                   
         (SEAL)                   NOTARY PUBLIC


My Commission Expires:






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