Emesis basins are handy for pre-op nurses to transport intravenous supplies to the patient's bedside. They also make great receptacles for used needles and trash. The trouble is, then you have to dispose of the basins because of possible blood contamination - and at 25 cents apiece, the wasted dollars pile up. Besides, the plastic basins are non-biodegradable, and we were disposing more than 500 a month ($125) into our landfills.