Hygienic Label Solutions For Reusable Medical Plastics
Regulated Medical Waste containers have a very specific job description: to contain and seal biohazardous waste for storage or in transport to prevent its potential to cause harm or disease.
The vast majority of medical waste containers are made from high-density polyethylene plastic (HDPE). This plastic is chosen specifically for its superior performance including puncture resistance, chemical resistance during sanitization procedures, and long service life.
However, the performance properties that make HDPE such a versatile material for reusable medical waste containers also make it problematic for common “adhesion-based” warning labeling methods (pressure-sensitive adhesive, in-mold, hot stamp foil, heat transfer, silkscreen, pad printing, and more) that are intended to be on the product for life use.
Industries Utilizing Medical Waste Containers
- Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities, and Surgery Centers
- Laboratories and Blood Banks
- Doctor’s Offices and Veterinary Clinics
- Dental Offices, Long-Term Care, and Hospice Industry
- Funeral Homes
- Pharmacies and Pharmaceutical Industry
Real-world results prove that common labeling methods are continuously failing their informative duty on HDPE medical waste containers. This comes as no surprise as containers and labeling are consistently being subjected to extremely harsh environments such as sanitization cycles, extreme temperatures, moisture, and more throughout their lifespan that renders adhesion-based methods inoperative.
Damaged labels result in missing or unreadable biohazard safety information and simultaneously expose underlayers and sticky adhesives that become sites where bloodborne pathogens and other microbes harbor safely away from disinfectants and sanitation.
Label failure means users are left not knowing what exactly might be inside, and the dangers they could potentially be exposed to, might also potentially be living on the sticky adhesive of the failed label.
There is a better alternative!
Polymer Fusion Labeling Technology
“The science of merging two separate polyolefin thermoplastic polymers together (polyolefin label + polyolefin product) utilizing melt point, time, and pressure, producing a singular piece of plastic without the use of adhesives, tie layers, bonding agents, or secondary surface treatments.”
Polymer Fusion Technology was specifically engineered for perfect compatibility with polyolefin thermoplastics (including HDPE) to deliver unrivaled lifelong performance.
Polymer Fusion Technology with BioCote®
BioCote® (silver ion) antimicrobial additives are introduced into the polymer matrix of our Fusion Technology inks during production and printed as part of a logo, warning label, or informative graphic that is then applied onto customers’ products. According to BioCote®, “the technology has been proven to be efficacious against a wide range of microbes – bacteria, mold, and viruses while being resistant to exposure to commonly used cleaning disinfectants for the life of the product.”
During application, the Polymer Fusion Label with BioCote® and HDPE product simultaneously reach melt point causing a “fusion reaction.” The result – a permanent warning or informative label on plastic that cannot be lifted, separated or removed for the life of the product no matter the environment or exposure. It also means no more exposed layers or sticky adhesives where microbes hide, leaving users susceptible to contact.
Polyfuze’s industry-leading Lifetime Guarantee means peace of mind knowing Polymer Fusion Technology has your back for the life of the medical waste bin.
*Polymer Fusion Labeling is also fully recyclable with polyolefin thermoplastic products at the end-of-life use.
Contact us here if you’re interested in learning more about our hygienic label solutions for reusable medical plastics.
About the Author
