Vernacare, a specialist in ‘sustainable infection prevention solutions in healthcare’, has launched a range of ‘safer, bigger, and greener’ Sharpsafe sharps containers.
Developed following consultation with end-users across the healthcare system, the 5 litre and 7 litre containers include features designed to provide enhanced protection from needlestick injuries – one of the most common occupational hazards for healthcare workers worldwide - while also reducing their environmental impact. The new range features a ‘100% recycled’ plastic base, are wider, and have a larger capacity, meaning they will be in use for longer before disposal.
The Dual Protect Pro safety feature is an integrated safety shield designed to help avoid the contents spilling, while also encouraging horizontal fill to maximise capacity. The containers are manufactured using ‘new, energy-efficient machinery’, for a lower footprint during the production process.
Vernacare says the 5 and 7 litre Sharpsafe containers are a first of their kind, with their ‘fully integrated, strong, flexible, and durable safety shield’, and penetration resistance to the ISO 23907-1 standard. The company says their ‘industry-leading’, locally sourced, recycled polypropylene base ‘has a much lower carbon footprint than virgin plastic – resulting in a 94% reduction in CO2e. Virgin plastic cannot be totally eliminated in the lids, but Vernacare has reduced its use by 16%.
To help healthcare managers measure the carbon savings from its use, Vernacare has released an online Carbon Calculator. Using this tool, one hospital found it could save 195.6 kg CO2e annually by switching from existing Sharpsafe containers to the new 5 7 L models.
Alex Hodges, CEO at Vernacare, said: “Sharps containers have long been a crucial part of the risk mitigation strategy, but they tend to be a high-volume item constructed from virgin plastic, giving them a significantly high carbon footprint. This must change, and we know our customers are actively looking for ways to become more sustainable, without compromising on safety.”
