Clinical waste can be hazardous or harmful and cannot be disposed of in regular waste receptacles, general waste bins, skips or recyclate bins. It is commonly produced in hospitals, labs, and clinics but can also be produced in other types of businesses or homes. It could be anything from human or animal tissue, to drugs or medicines, pharmaceutical products, needles or syringes (and other sharp objects), swabs or dressings.
All businesses have a legal responsibility to dispose of clinical waste safely, and it is part of the statutory duty of employers under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and Hazardous Waste regulations made under the Environmental Protection Act.
The safe disposal of clinical waste must be managed in line with several other regulations which relate to the storage, collection and disposal of clinical waste. An extensive, but though exhaustive, list of the legislation and regulations includes:
- Controlled Waste Regulations 2012
- The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
- Hazardous Waste Directive 2011
- Carriage Of Dangerous Goods Regulations 2009
- Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005
- List of Wastes Regulations 2005
- Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 2003
- COSHH Regulations 2002
- The Environmental Protection Act 1990
Breach of the regulations by an employer or employee is a crime, punishable by summary conviction or on indictment by an unlimited fine.
So what is clinical waste?
Clinical waste can pose a risk of infection when handled. There are many different types of clinical waste, each requiring special care in its disposal. Understanding clinical waste can help you dispose of it correctly and prevent contamination, the main categories for clinical waste are:
- Infectious waste containing pathogens
- Pharmaceutical waste
- Pathological waste containing human tissue or fluid
- Chemical waste
- Sharp wastes
- Radioactive waste
- Pressurised containers
- High heavy metal content
Understanding the importance of proper clinical waste management is essential for any business with the above waste. We offer professional services that ensure complete compliance with UK regulations, whether it’s advice, collection, treatment, or disposal, we’re here to help you at every step. We can take care of all the paperwork related to our collections, which means you can have the documentation you need to prove your compliance with UK waste regulations.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote on our expert waste management services. We’re always happy to help!