Clinical Waste

Clinical waste consists of medical waste that could pose a threat to public health unless properly disposed of. It is a category of hazardous waste, and has to be collected under tightly controlled conditions and disposed of by incineration. It cannot be put with normal rubbish. The process is legally enforced by strict government regulations.

What is clinical waste?

Clinical waste consists of four main categories:

• Human or animal tissue, blood or bodily fluids, or excretions
• Dressings or swabs
• Unwanted medicines and other pharmaceutical products
• Used syringes, needles and blades ('contaminated sharps')

Non-hazardous domestic medical waste, of the kind resulting from small injuries or minor illnesses, plus soiled nappies, incontinence pads and sanitary towels, do not - under normal circumstances - constitute clinical waste, and may be disposed of with domestic rubbish.

Who produces it?

Most clinical waste comes from the healthcare industries. This includes hospitals, GPs' surgeries, dentists' surgeries, nursing homes, acupuncture clinics, and vets' clinics. They can dispose of their clinical waste by special agreement with the local council.

Clinical waste from the home

Private individuals undergoing treatment at home may also produce clinical waste. They can find out how to dispose of this by discussing the matter with their GP, practice nurse, or district nurse. Typically, they will be given special yellow bags, and puncture-resistant 'sharps boxes' for contaminated sharps (hypodermic syringes, scalpel blades and so on), and these can be collected from the home by a dedicated service. Unwanted medicines and pharmaceuticals should, if possible, be returned to the pharmacist for disposal.

Criminal offence

Because of the harm that it might cause to others, it is a criminal offence to put clinical waste amongst ordinary rubbish. This applies also to drug addicts who fail to dispose of their needles appropriately.