Waste sorting method with self-identifying containers

Abstract

A system for disposing of medical waste is generally configured to sort waste items into a plurality of disposable containers according to applicable rules and regulations governing the handling and/or disposal of such items. In some embodiments, a system comprises sorting stations, each of which houses a number of disposable containers. Each station can identify an item of waste, determine the most appropriate container for the item, and facilitate disposal of the item in the appropriate container.

1 . A method for sorting waste, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of container compartments, each container compartment configured to receive a removable container;    providing a plurality of removable containers configured to be placed within the container compartments,    wherein each of the removable containers is associated with at least one of a plurality of waste categories,    providing a machine-readable key located on at least one of the removable containers, wherein said key is configured to indicate the container's waste category type to the system;    determining the container's waste category based on said machine-readable key;    receiving information associated with a waste item;    classifying said waste item into a waste category based on said received information;    assigning the waste item to at least one waste category after said waste item has been classified; and    identifying the removable container based on the waste category.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying the removable container comprises visually indicating the removable container to a user.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying the removable container comprises opening the removable container.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving information associated with a waste item comprises receiving information regarding said waste item input by a user.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving information associated with a waste item comprises reading a barcode located on said waste item.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving information associated with a waste item comprises reading information located on said waste item.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving information associated with a waste item comprises receiving information from an input device.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving information associated with a waste item comprises receiving information via a touch screen.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving information associated with a waste item comprises receiving information via a keyboard.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving information associated with a waste item comprises receiving information via a scanner.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving information associated with a waste item comprises receiving information via a barcode scanner.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a machine-readable key comprises providing an optically readable pattern.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a machine-readable key comprises providing an alphanumeric code.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a machine-readable key comprises providing a graphical pattern.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a machine-readable key comprises providing a color.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a machine-readable key comprises providing a magnetic code.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the machine-readable key comprises a physical feature associated with the container.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining the container's waste category comprises reading the machine-readable key and correlating the information from said key with said waste category.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the step of classifying said waste item comprising comparing said received information with classification information contained in a database.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , said classification information comprises rules and regulations affecting the disposal of medical waste items.