A mobile apparatus (1) and method to sterilize surgical trays (80). The mobileapparatus ( 1) includes a cabinet (2)having wheels ( 104), filtered cabinet roof vents, filtered cabinet floorvents, and sealable door(s) (14) sealably covering a cabinetfront aperture (12). The cabinet (2) includes shelves sized to support aplurality of surgical trays (80) and may support a heavyload such as up to 100 lbs, 200 lbs. or 300 lbs. The surgical trays (80) areplaced within the cabinet (2) and, the cabinet doors(14) are closed. Thereafter, the cabinet (2) can be placed within an autoclave(98) and sterilized. Chemical indicators and a locatorcard may be used to verify the sterilization status and autoclave history ofthe cabinet and its contents. A system includes themobile apparatus and a transport and sterilization cart configured to supportthe mobile apparatus on a shelf of the cart.
