Method and assembly for sterilizing contaminated waste

A disposable assembly for collecting contaminated waste, comprising:

• a heat-stable container made of a material which will withstand, without deformation, the temperature conditions of a complete sterilization of its contents, and intended for household and/or industrial refuse, and forming a chamber provided with a sealable opening through which the contaminated waste is introduced;
• a hot-melt plastic material which is meltable under the temperature conditions of sterilization, and is arranged inside the container, with a sufficient mass to enclose the waste in the molten plastic material;
• a permeable cover, with a filter, sealing the opening of the container and closing the chamber, and
• a lid which is integral with the container and can be moved in rotation with respect thereto for sealing the opening in a reversible manner, the lid including an opening which can be brought into register with the opening of the container in order to ensure the opening and sealing of the container.

A method for sterilizing contaminated waste, comprising the following:

• introducing contaminated waste into a disposable container forming a sterilization chamber, made of a heat-stable material which is stable under the conditions, particularly the temperature conditions, of sterilization, and for the predetermined operating period of sterilization, the container containing a hot-melt plastic material which is meltable under said conditions of sterilization;
• sealing the container, before placing it in the oven, with a cover which includes a filter;
• placing the container, containing the contaminated waste, in an oven specifically adapted to provide said conditions of sterilization, in order to ensure complete sterilization of the contaminated waste;
• heating the oven under said conditions of sterilization in such a way that the hot-melt plastic material arranged in the disposable container melts and encloses the waste, thereby making the disposable container and the waste non-reusable;
• and
• removing from the oven the container containing the waste which has been sterilized and enclosed by the hot-melt plastic material, and disposing of said container.