Patent ID: 8905413

Claim:
A method of collecting and compacting waste generated during a medical or surgical procedure, said method including the steps of: fitting a bag with an opening to a cart, the cart having a plate that is moveably mounted to the cart wherein, in said fitting of the bag, the bag is disposed adjacent the plate and wherein the bag has a one way valve through which air can be discharged from the bag and that blocks air flow into the bag; collecting waste generated during a medical or surgical procedure by placing the waste in the bag through the opening; closing the bag opening; while the bag is on the cart, moving the cart and bag to a compactor; and after said step of closing the bag and while the bag remains on the cart, compressing the bag wherein said compression step is performed by an actuator integral with said compactor moving the cart plate towards a static location on the compactor and wherein, as a result of said compression step, air within the bag is discharged through the one way valve.