TOP 10 questions

The 10 most frequently asked questions

5 min.
Top 10 questions Ecosteryl
We regularly receive many questions about medical waste treatment. We have gathered the most frequently asked ones to help guide you before we meet and discuss your project in person. Ecosteryl is always pleased to welcome visitors to discover our offices, manufacturing facilities, and machines.

Discover the Top 10 questions you ask us most often.

1. What types of medical waste can be treated by Ecosteryl machines?

Ecosteryl solutions are designed to treat solid and liquid infectious healthcare waste generated by healthcare activities.

Our Ecosteryl machines can process, among others:
    • syringes (without medication),
    • needles and sharp objects,
    • tubing,
    • gauze, dressings, and medical textiles,
    • blood bags and other biological fluid containers,
    • anatomical waste,
    • veterinary waste,
    • plastic containers (sharps boxes, IBCs, ect.) and cardboard.
The following waste cannot be treated:
  • medicines and pharmaceutical products,
  • cytotoxic and cytostatic products,
  • chemical products,
  • radioactive waste,
  • pressurized gases.

The machines comply with European classifications for infectious healthcare waste.

2. Why choose Ecosteryl instead of an autoclave or an incinerator?

Ecosteryl combines shredding and disinfection in a fully electric continuous process.

Unlike traditional autoclaves:
  • waste is rendered completely unrecognizable;
  • the process operates continuously rather than in batches;
  • no water, steam, or pressurization is used;
  • the treated waste comes out dry and can be directly recovered or sorted more easily;
  • there is no need to invest in wastewater treatment.
Unlike incineration:
  • no combustion takes place;
  • no toxic flue gases are produced;
  • CO₂ emissions are zero;
  • the waste can subsequently be recycled or recovered for energy.

3. How does Ecosteryl technology work?

The process consists of three continuous stages:
  • shredding the waste using a four-shaft industrial shredder;
  • preheating the waste with microwaves in a maximum of 3 minutes;
  • maintaining the waste at a controlled temperature (approximately 100°C) for 1 hour to ensure a 6 Log₁₀ disinfection level.
At the end of the process, the waste is:
  • completely disinfected;
  • unrecognizable;
  • inert;
  • ready for recovery or disposal in accordance with local regulations.

4. What is the advantage of the four-shaft shredder used by Ecosteryl?

Ecosteryl uses four-shaft industrial shredders recognized as among the highest-performing on the market.

This technology offers several advantages:
  • very high shredding power;
  • excellent particle size uniformity, further improved by a screen located beneath the shredder;
  • waste rendered completely unrecognizable;
  • very low risk of clogging;
  • exceptional robustness;
  • simplified maintenance without complete machine disassembly.

Some shredders installed in 2000 are still operating today.

5. What happens to the waste after disinfection?

After disinfection, the waste no longer presents an infectious risk.
Depending on local regulations and the customer’s objectives, the treated waste may:
  • be sent to an energy recovery facility (RDF or Waste-to-Energy);
  • be sorted using our R-STERYL sorting center to recover different fractions for recycling.

6. What level of disinfection does Ecosteryl guarantee?

Our machines guarantee a minimum 6 Log₁₀ microbiological reduction, corresponding to a one-million-fold reduction in the number of microorganisms present. This performance is validated during commissioning through biological testing using Bacillus atrophaeus, in accordance with applicable standards.

7. How many operators are required?

Only one operator is needed to run two Ecosteryl machines. Operations are highly automated, and the ease of operation significantly reduces labor costs.

8. What is the lifespan of an Ecosteryl machine?

The estimated lifespan is at least 15 years, provided the preventive maintenance program is properly followed. Several machines installed more than twenty years ago are still operating today. We would be pleased to show you some references.

9. Can the waste be recycled after treatment?

Yes.

Once disinfected, the waste can be directed to various recovery streams. Combined with the R-STERYL sorting center, the solution makes it possible to recover different polymers (PP, PE, PET, PVC, ABS, PS, etc.) for recycling. This approach promotes the circular economy and reduces reliance on incineration.

10. Why is Ecosteryl a sustainable solution?

Ecosteryl solutions are fully electric, rely on no combustion process, and promote the circular economy in a world where waste is too often simply burned and discarded.

Our machines are built to be extremely robust and designed for the longest possible service life. Sustainability also depends on durability. Our R&D teams continuously improve our machines to push technological boundaries and simplify maintenance.

The machines make it possible to:
  • reduce CO₂ emissions compared with incineration;
  • preserve the calorific value of the waste;
  • promote both material and energy recovery.

They are fully aligned with a sustainable medical waste management strategy. Ecosteryl has also received numerous awards and is certified by B Corp and the Solar Impulse Foundation.

Do you have any other questions?
Feel free to contact us at sales@ecosteryl.com.

Articles

Continue reading