Product developer Edison Nation Medical is searching for ways to improve hazardous waste disposal in healthcare facilities, according to an article on the Healthcare Construction + Operations website.

Edison is inviting the public to submit ideas at www.EdisonNationMedical.com/waste through Oct. 24.

The majority of materials procured by a hospital ultimately become waste, resulting in nearly 7,000 tons of waste every day and $10 billion annually in disposal costs across the healthcare industry, according to the article.

Edison suggests inventors consider a cost-saving opportunity through the proper allocation of red bag versus municipal solid waste (MSW), which is commonly known as trash or garbage that contains everyday items. 

Many hospitals routinely throw 50 percent to 70 percent of waste into the bio-hazardous waste stream even though most of the waste is similar to that of an office building, the article said.

Read the article.