Incinerator ash also finds its way to the landfill. It is important to note that the treatment of medical waste varies based on the type of waste. Medical waste is also very likely to undergo more than one process. Hospitals and doctors, for example, generate, treat and store waste. Specific containers and drums are used to store waste, which will later be transported to off-site treatment locations.
Red bags are steam sterilized using specific tags, which change color.
The tags are used to identify sterilized red bags from infectious red bag. This provides some reassurance for the sanitation workers. Most hospitals have the equipment to disinfect their waste while smaller institutions may not. Once the waste is disinfected, the waste is stored and prepared for transportation. Licensed haulers are contracted to provide the service of picking up medical waste.