Which aspect of the Healthcare Waste Management Hierarchy is defined as finding a new application for a used material?

The aspect of Healthcare Waste Management Hierarchy defined as finding a new application for a used material is reusing. Reusing involves taking an item that has already served its original purpose and utilizing it again for a similar or different purpose without significant alteration. This practice not only conserves resources by extending the lifecycle of materials but also reduces the overall amount of waste generated.

For instance, in healthcare settings, items such as containers, medical equipment, or even certain types of personal protective equipment may be cleaned and sterilized for further use rather than being disposed of after a single use. In this way, reusing contributes to a more sustainable approach by maximizing the utility of materials and minimizing waste.

Recycling, on the other hand, involves processing used materials to create new items, which is a distinct process from reusing since it usually changes the original material into something new rather than simply finding an alternative use for the same item. Waste minimization focuses on reducing the overall quantity of waste generated at the source, and energy recovery pertains to converting waste materials into usable energy, such as through combustion or anaerobic digestion.