Learn the Story Behind the Safe Waste System™ and Codonics Second Consecutive TAG Award
Following its recognition as a 2026 TAG Award Winner for Medication Safety & Compliance Innovation, Codonics was recently featured on the TAG’D: Beyond the Award Podcast to discuss the inspiration, development, and future of the Safe Waste System™ (SWS).
The conversation explores how Codonics identified a longstanding challenge in healthcare—controlled substance waste and reconciliation—and developed a solution designed to help anesthesia and pharmacy teams work more efficiently together.
Hosted by Justin Starbird, the episode features Mike Kolberg, Vice President and General Manager, and Cristy Berg, Vice President, OEM Marketing, Communications & Global Trade Shows, who share the journey behind the innovation and discuss how customer feedback continues to shape the future of Codonics solutions.
A Commitment to Solving Real-World Challenges
What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it acknowledges a challenge anesthesia providers and pharmacy teams face every day.
The Safe Waste System™ (SWS) was recognized by the TAG Awards for addressing controlled substance waste and reconciliation through a streamlined workflow performed at the point of care. The system supports identification, measurement, spectrophotometric analysis, documentation, and reconciliation of liquid controlled substance waste while the anesthesia provider is still in the room.
The award follows Codonics 2025 TAG Award recognition for the Safe Label System® (SLS), making Codonics one of the few organizations to receive TAG Awards recognition in consecutive years.
Innovation Begins with Listening
One theme repeated throughout the podcast was the importance of customer relationships.
As Mike Kolberg explains during the discussion, many of Codonics innovations begin by listening closely to providers, pharmacists, and healthcare leaders who encounter workflow challenges every day.
“The opportunities come to you if you listen.”
That philosophy helped shape the Safe Waste System and continues to guide the development of future Codonics technologies.
From Preparation to Administration to Waste & Reconciliation
The podcast also explores the evolution of the Codonics perioperative medication workflow:
- Safe Label System® (SLS) supports medication preparation and standardized syringe labeling.
- SLS-WAVE supports documentation at administration by capturing medication information into EHR systems.
- Safe Waste System™ (SWS) addresses controlled substance waste and data for reconciliation at the point of care.
Together, these technologies support a more connected perioperative medication workflow from Preparation → Administration → Data for Waste & Reconciliation.
Listen to the Podcast
Hear the full story behind the Safe Waste System, the importance of customer-driven innovation, and what lies ahead for Codonics.
Listen on Spotify:
About the TAG Awards
The TAG Awards recognize organizations and technologies that demonstrate excellence in innovation, leadership, and measurable impact across MedTech, Life Sciences, and Healthcare. The Safe Waste System™ was recognized as a 2026 TAG Award Winner in Medication Safety & Compliance Innovation.
