About Safetec
Safetec of America, Inc. is a trusted leader in infection control, first aid, and compliance solutions for healthcare, education, and industrial facilities. Safetec specializes in innovative, ready-to-use products that improve safety, compliance, and efficiency for medical professionals.
When it came to liquid medical waste disposal, Safetec saw an opportunity to enhance safety, streamline processes, and ensure compliance, but they needed the right partner to make it happen.
The Challenge: Improve the Safety & Efficiency of Medical Waste Disposal
Hospitals and healthcare facilities generate significant amounts of liquid medical waste, including blood, body fluids, and pathological waste. Even with personal protective equipment (PPE) and strict disposal protocols, handling this waste remained a messy, hazardous, and compliance-sensitive process.
Key challenges of Safetec’s customers included:
- Risk of spills and contamination—ruptured storage bags and splashes during transport exposed staff to potential biohazards.
- Cumbersome disposal process—manual pouring of solidifiers into narrow suction canister openings led to errors, spills, and potential exposure.
- Regulatory compliance—meeting OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and international UN3373 hazardous waste shipping regulations required a more effective and reliable solution.
An Initial Fix
To mitigate these risks, Safetec developed fluid solidifier packets that transformed liquid pathological waste into a manageable, solid form within the suction canister. This innovation eliminated splatter risk during storage, transport, and handling.
However, a packaging challenge remained—the solidifier packets required manual opening and pouring, a process that was not only inefficient but also increased the risk of spills and exposure.
The Solution: Fast & Effective Waste Containment Drop-In Pacs Made From SmartSolve Water-Soluble Materials
Safetec needed a smarter, more user-friendly solution, and SmartSolve had already invented the answer—a self-dissolving, zero-waste pouch stock that eliminated manual handling and exposure risks.
Ken Bianchi, Executive Vice President at Safetec said about the partnership:
We were using a couple of different materials when we met SmartSolve. We noticed they were doing some really interesting things with consumer products and wanted to incorporate their material into our acute care spill control solidifier line.
Through their partnership, SmartSolve and Safetec co-developed a slim, pre-measured pouch that could be dropped directly into suction canisters without tearing or pouring. The Drop-In Pacs dissolve upon contact with liquid, instantly activating the solidifier for fast and effective waste containment.
How SmartSolve Water-Soluble Paper Helped Safetec Innovate Medical Waste Disposal
- Touch-free, mess-free application—healthcare workers simply drop the pre-measured pack into the canister for a seamless disposal process.
- Immediate activation upon contact with liquid—ensuring even, complete solidification with no manual intervention.
- Eco-friendly & cost-efficient—reducing waste, disposal costs, and environmental impact while maintaining cost neutrality.
- Ensured OSHA & UN3373 compliance—helping facilities protect workers, prevent contamination, and meet regulatory standards.
The Outcome: Safer, More Efficient Waste Disposal
The SmartSolve Drop-In Pacs quickly became the preferred solution for Safetec’s customers, delivering:
- Enhanced safety by eliminating spills, reducing exposure risks, and ensuring worker protection.
- Increased efficiency by simplifying handling, speeding up waste disposal, and reducing manual errors.
- Regulatory compliance by helping healthcare facilities align with OSHA, IATA DGR, and The Joint Commission standards.
- Cost neutrality by introducing innovation without increasing expenses.
Ken Bianchi also praised the impact of the new solution:
It’s safe, easy to use, and fast. It also has the potential to cut costs for the healthcare system.
Smart Packaging for Critical Applications
By partnering with SmartSolve, Safetec was able to introduce a revolutionary medical waste solution that improved safety, efficiency, and compliance…all while maintaining affordability.
Customer Success: August 2024 Montly Innovation Video
Looking for a better way to package your product? SmartSolve’s water-soluble solutions can be tailored to your unique industry needs. Contact us today to learn more.