As a result of the recent COVID-19 pandemic that took the world over, it seems that just about everyone has come to realise just how easily one can become exposed to deadly bacteria and viruses on a daily basis. This is especially true when it comes to doctors, nurses, lab technicians as well as hospital patients too, the few who remain on the front lines of any potential outbreak that may occur.

One of the few most effective methods of sealing sterile equipment off from any potential contamination would be through the use of plastic medical containers. Plastic generally actually plays an incredibly vital role throughout the healthcare industry. For instance, this material is not only used to produce medical equipment and plastic medical containers but it is also used to seal off needles and other equipment in order to help prevent the spread of any potential disease or bacteria. In fact, all supplies within hospitals that are single-use can either be found to be stored in a paper bag or in plastic medical containers!

Furthermore, plastic medical containers also allow for the safe and sterile transportation of vital hospital equipment and supplies. Such plastic medical containers will often come in the form of:

  • Diagnostic device packaging
  • Blister packs
  • Intravenous bags (IV) and tubing
  • Prescription bottles
  • Serum vials
  • Medicine dispensers

In order for such products to be transported safely, and to ensure their durability once reaching their respective hospitals for future use, they are often required to be produced using materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). To further ensure that such plastic medical containers remain safe and ready for use, they undergo thorough and rigorous testing phases. These tests will often include physiochemical tests, biological reactivity tests, and tests for extractability. This is all done in order to determine whether or not plastic medical containers are safe to use with patients that have weakened immune systems.

These plastics will also have to be put under biocompatibility tests to see if they contain any possible irritants or if they have the potential to lead to cytotoxicity. Furthermore, plastic medical containers absolutely need to remain sterile and non-reactive to humans, as well as the plastic packaging that they are contained within. All of this is done in order to ensure that the packaging remains compliant with all forms of international health guidelines and standards before entering the real world for future use.

However, due to the large amount of plastic that is used within the medical field, it is often wondered whether or not these materials are safe to recycle. Unfortunately, due to the risk of bacteria and viruses being able to withstand most normal environments, these plastics are incinerated at high temperatures. However, the plastics that are used to package unused materials and equipment can be recycled without worry, as long as they are kept sterile and have not been exposed to any form of bacteria as well as blood or tissue.

All in all, it may be safe to assume that plastic medical containers are far more important within the healthcare industry than most would initially assume.