The 2009 ICT Buyer’s Guide and Thomas Scientific are both featuring Tufpak autoclaveable bags as part of their current product lines. These sturdy polyethylene and polypropylene waste disposal bags are available in vivid yellow, orange or red. Each unit is clearly marked with the biohazard symbol and instructions for use to comply with OSHA regulations. In addition, a temperature sensitive “Contents Have Been Autoclaved” message appears after the bags have been appropriately sterilized. This makes compliance easy to verify and enhances waste handling safety.
These biohazard bags are engineered for use in research for Level 3 and Level 4 containment laboratories. Product failure in such an environment is not an option. Regulations vary across the U.S., but each state has high expectations regarding the tensile resistance of materials used in these applications. Dart and tear testing determines the degree to which the HDP or polypropylene holds up to abuse. Tufpak is committed to ensuring that their product will not burst or tear and that it is unlikely to be punctured. MSDS and technical data sheets are available from the company upon request. These should be reviewed by a safety officer to be certain that the bags are appropriate for a specific use.
Tufpak has been in business for over 10 years and takes pride in the quality of its products and manufacturing processes. This company values continuous improvement and has recently expanded its equipment line to better serve its customers. This veteran owned small business was granted a state permit to operate 2 new printing presses and a generator earlier this month. The application was a lengthy process and the reporting requirements are strict. Tufpak will be able to step up productivity at their New Hampshire plant now while keeping airborne pollutants to a minimum in compliance with state law.
The Tufpack Product Line
This company has options available for a variety of applications. Their high density polyethylene (HDP) bags are autoclaveable up to 250 degrees faranheit. These are suitable for reuse in life science and related industries.
Tufpak’s SUPROP line is polypropylene and can be autoclaved at higher temperatures for faster sterilization. Their Hi-strength version meets requirements for use in all 50 states (including Florida and Pennsylvania). These bags are also suitable for interstate OTR transport since they comply with DOT regulations. Sterilizing waste prior to moving it is much safer than other methods.
Many manufacturers can provide bags that are suitable for incineration, but these should not be confused with those that can withstand autoclaving. The practice of incineration is now being questioned due to the problem of air pollution with dioxin (a byproduct of burning PVC). This makes the option of sterilization followed by landfill interment more attractive.
Having an autoclave on site to process hazardous materials in preparation for transport is the ideal solution for any industry that produces such waste. This doesn’t make ‘taking out the trash’ any more fun, but it certainly makes it less dangerous. The information in our free report can help you determine if an on site autoclave is the right answer for your business.
