61 www.Char l e s tonWomenPodcas t . com | www.ReadCW. com | www. Ins t ag ram. com /Char l e s tonWomen One local woman is living the American dream and making the community a safer place through her responsible biomedical waste management company, EcoSteris. Based out of a 13,000-square-foot facility on Fabricators Street off of Hwy 78, the business serves medical waste generators both large and small, from dentist offices to private practices, and veterinary clinics to urgent care centers and hospitals. This strategic location allows the company to serve clients across the Lowcountry, with plans to expand service statewide in the coming months. A native of Lebanon, Youmna Squalli founded EcoSteris just one year ago, and she is already making an impact on the Lowcountry as the company grows exponentially. Squalli, who has a background in business, met her husband David, who hails from Greenville, S.C., at one of the world’s largest medical trade fairs in Dubai. After two years of marriage, the couple relocated from Dubai to the Charleston area. “Leaving behind my life and family in Dubai was a difficult decision,” Squalli reflected, “but Charleston certainly made that transition easier. I find a lot of inspiration in this city, its culture and its people.” As the second permitted facility approved to treat biohazardous waste in the entire state, Squalli and her team are forging the path for safe, sustainable practices that protect our communities from harmful waste. Careful disposal of medical waste is crucial, as waste that is disposed of improperly can contaminate groundwater sources, produce air pollutants and harm ecosystems. There are many instances where quality of life or animal populations have been disturbed due to poorly managed waste of this kind. While incineration of medical waste generates harmful substances, like dioxin and furan, steam sterilization is regarded as the most environmentally friendly and economical alternative technology to process the discarded materials. Squalli has introduced this process — and some even safer practices as add-ons — to our backyards. “Our tagline line is, ‘Sustainability is our passion,’ which we take to heart, hence why we increased our investment and went an extra step further with our double shredding process post steam sterilization,” explained Squalli. “While the regulations in the state of South Carolina do not require the waste to be shredded, at EcoSteris, our treated waste will go through a double shredding process. This will not only reduce the volume of the waste by more than 85%, but it will also allow us to have unrecognizable waste that is safe to be recycled or disposed of. This process is going to have a huge positive impact on the landfills of our community from a safety and environmental perspective — and for all our taxpayers.” Going above and beyond for the community and the local environment speaks volumes about Squalli’s commitment to the Lowcountry that she now calls home. Her love for the Charleston community inspires her to make education a part of her mission, raising awareness about the importance of the safe disposal of medical waste. “I want others to understand the importance of proper treatment and disposal of medical waste and its impact, even if they are not directly involved in the healthcare industry,” she shared. “A proper waste management plan will not only increase the safety of employees, but it also helps keep patients and communities safe.” As a woman in a maledominated industry, Squalli remains focused on her commitment to performing her job well and offering unmatched services to her clients. “Many women are thriving in leadership roles,” she reflected. “Successful women leaders need a combination of support from both men and women in the workplace.” Squalli expresses gratitude to her husband for his support and wisdom on her journey as a female trailblazer in this industry. His support as a man, a husband and a proud South Carolina native has been nothing but helpful and instrumental in the trajectory of his wife’s project of passion and problem-solving. Having enjoyed success, Squalli is also fervent in encouraging other women to succeed professionally. “Remember to do your homework,” she urges. “Display confidence, be mindful of egos, don’t take things too personally, don’t shy away from risks as they can be your opportunities to grow — and always stay positive.” Learn more about Youmna Squalli’s mission at EcoSteris.com. Charleston Women in Wellness
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