What Kinds of Medical Scrap Are Easiest to Find Today?

Medical ProfessionalsPlatinum ScrapRecycle Refine Platinum
Written By Barry Lenson

It's important to note that the availability and accessibility of medical scrap can vary depending on factors such as local regulations, disposal practices, and the specific healthcare facilities in your area. Some used medical devices that were used on patients are true medical waste and must be properly disposed of. Other medical devices that were never used are easier acquire without violating the law. 

But in either case, proper permissions and adherence to legal and ethical considerations are essential when collecting or dealing with medical scrap.

With that said, let’s also note that there are several types of medical scrap that are relatively common and easy to find today. Some examples include:

  • Medical equipment - Various types of medical equipment, such as infusion pumps, patient monitors, defibrillators, and ultrasound machines, can be found in healthcare facilities or through medical equipment dealers.

  • Dental scrap - Dental offices generate dental scrap, including gold and silver dental crowns, bridges, and fillings. These materials can be recycled to recover precious metals.

  • Surgical instruments - Discarded or outdated surgical instruments can be found in hospitals, clinics, or through medical equipment suppliers. These instruments are typically made of stainless steel, which can be recycled.

  • Lab equipment and glassware - Laboratories often dispose of outdated or broken equipment, such as centrifuges, microscopes, and glassware. These items may contain valuable materials or components.

  • Veterinary testing and treatment devices – Today, pet owners are willing to pay for more advanced medical testing and treatment than they were in the past. It is not uncommon, for example, for dogs and cats to have coronary and kidney function tests that were only given to humans about a decade ago. For this reason, it is worth contacting veterinarians and veterinary hospitals to ask whether they have used testing and other devices that they are willing to sell.

And Some Focused Advice on Finding and Recycling Pacemakers and Implantable Defibrillators

Platinum is found in two areas in used and recycled implantable pacemakers and defibrillators:

  • In the casings that cover them, are made of platinum. Why platinum? Because platinum is non-reactive and when it is the main component in implanted devices, the human body will not reject it.

  • In the cables that connect the implantable device to the heart. Every implantable defibrillator and pacemaker uses a thin platinum wire to conduct electrical impulses to the heart. If you locate these wires and separate them from the main body of the defibrillator or pacemaker, they can be profitably recycled.

Some Practical Advice on Collecting these Devices and Reclaiming the Platinum they Contain

Recycling pacemakers and implantable defibrillators, also known as cardiac devices, require specialized processes due to their medical nature and the presence of potentially hazardous materials. The recycling of these devices typically involves the following steps:

  • Obtaining proper authorization - Before recycling a cardiac device, it is essential to ensure compliance with legal considerations. Contact the manufacturer or the healthcare facility that implanted the device to understand their policies regarding device recycling.

  • Medical professional involvement - Recycling cardiac devices requires the expertise of medical professionals, such as cardiologists or electrophysiologists. They will be responsible for the proper deactivation of the device from the patient.

  • Device retrieval - Once the device is removed, it needs to be properly packaged and transported to a facility specializing in the recycling of medical devices.

  • Device evaluation - At the recycling facility, the cardiac device is evaluated to determine its potential for refurbishment or recycling. This evaluation includes checking the device's functionality, condition, and compatibility with industry standards.

  • Proper disposal - If the device cannot be refurbished or recycled, it should be properly disposed of according to applicable regulations and guidelines for medical waste. The facility will ensure that any hazardous components or materials are handled safely and responsibly.

It's important to note that the recycling of cardiac devices is a specialized process that should be carried out by authorized facilities with expertise in medical device recycling. Working closely with medical professionals and following the proper protocols and regulations is crucial to ensure the safe and ethical recycling of these devices.

Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners is an industry leader in reclaiming platinum, gold, and silver from all forms of precious metal scrap.

Whatever kind of medical scrap you have, give our precious metal refiners a call at 800-426-2344. 

Barry Lenson
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