Healthcare Waste: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Healthcare waste pic.jpg|280px|left|Picture of Healthcare Waste packaging from Herefordshire CGC report]]__TOC__

==Macro Tonnage==

The macro-level data reported for 2020 by [[DEFRA]]<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data UK Statistics on Waste July 2020 update]</ref> for tonnage arisings is summarised in the figure below, with a total of 355kt tonnes of Healthcare Waste (and some associated biological waste) arising in the UK, the large majority of which came from the service sector :

==Clinical Waste==

[[File:Helathcare tonnage 2020.png|1000px|center]]

==Overview==

===Clinical Waste===

'''Clinical Waste''' is [[Healthcare Waste]] that:

*contains viable micro-organisms or their toxins which are known or reliably believed to cause disease in humans or other living organisms

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*is waste of a similar nature from a non-healthcare activity

==Offensive Waste==

===Offensive Waste===

'''Offensive Waste''' is non-infectious waste which is unpleasant and may cause offence to those coming into contact with it. It includes<ref name="Net">[https://www.netregs.org.uk/environmental-topics/waste/managing-waste-materials/offensive-waste/ NetRegs]</ref>:

*outer dressings and protective clothing e.g. masks, gowns and gloves that are not contaminated with body fluids

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*any waste that is infectious (i.e. a clinical waste)

==Management of Healthcare Waste==

===Management of Healthcare Waste===

The management of Healthcare Wastes is set out in '''Healthcare Technical Memorandum 07-01 - Safe Management of Healthcare Waste'''<ref name='Tech1'>[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/167976/HTM_07-01_Final.pdf Link to pdf document]</ref> which replaced the Safe Management of Healthcare Waste in 2013 <ref>Published in 2006, this removed the clinical waste classification system categorising into 5 types; A to E</ref>. Management of Healthcare Waste for regulated facilities with an environmental permit is the subject of guidance issued in July 2020 <ref>[https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-waste-appropriate-measures-for-permitted-facilities Healthcare Waste:Appropriate Measures for Permitted Facilities]</ref> by the [[EA]] which sets out appropriate measures in the following sections:

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* Process efficiency appropriate measures

==Healthcare Waste - Packaging Colour and Appropriate Waste Management==

==Categories of Healthcare Waste (Packaging Colour and Appropriate Waste Management)==

The types of [[Healthcare Waste]] are grouped and designated by packaging colour set out in the table below (can be bag colour or lid colour)<ref>[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f05a7fae90e0712d0206e88/Types_of_healthcare_waste_table.pdf Types of Healthcare Waste]</ref> <ref name ='Tech1'/>:

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 [[File:Healthcare waste pic.jpg|280px|left|Picture of Healthcare Waste packaging from Herefordshire CGC report]]__TOC__
 <br clear='left'/>
+==Macro Tonnage==
+The macro-level data reported for 2020 by [[DEFRA]]<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data UK Statistics on Waste July 2020 update]</ref> for tonnage arisings is summarised in the figure below, with a total of 355kt tonnes of Healthcare Waste (and some associated biological waste) arising in the UK, the large majority of which came from the service sector :
-==Clinical Waste==
+[[File:Helathcare tonnage 2020.png|1000px|center]]
+==Overview==
+===Clinical Waste===
 '''Clinical Waste''' is [[Healthcare Waste]] that:
 *contains viable micro-organisms or their toxins which are known or reliably believed to cause disease in humans or other living organisms
@@ Line 14: / Line 18: @@
 *is waste of a similar nature from a non-healthcare activity
-==Offensive Waste==
+===Offensive Waste===
 '''Offensive Waste''' is non-infectious waste which is unpleasant and may cause offence to those coming into contact with it. It includes<ref name="Net">[https://www.netregs.org.uk/environmental-topics/waste/managing-waste-materials/offensive-waste/ NetRegs]</ref>:
 *outer dressings and protective clothing e.g. masks, gowns and gloves that are not contaminated with body fluids
@@ Line 28: / Line 32: @@
 *any waste that is infectious (i.e. a clinical waste)
-==Management of Healthcare Waste==
+===Management of Healthcare Waste===
 The management of Healthcare Wastes is set out in '''Healthcare Technical Memorandum 07-01 - Safe Management of Healthcare Waste'''<ref name='Tech1'>[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/167976/HTM_07-01_Final.pdf Link to pdf document]</ref> which replaced the Safe Management of Healthcare Waste in 2013 <ref>Published in 2006, this removed the clinical waste classification system categorising into 5 types; A to E</ref>. Management of Healthcare Waste for regulated facilities with an environmental permit is the subject of guidance issued in July 2020 <ref>[https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-waste-appropriate-measures-for-permitted-facilities Healthcare Waste:Appropriate Measures for Permitted Facilities]</ref> by the [[EA]] which sets out appropriate measures in the following sections:
@@ Line 42: / Line 46: @@
 * Process efficiency appropriate measures
-==Healthcare Waste - Packaging Colour and Appropriate Waste Management==
+==Categories of Healthcare Waste (Packaging Colour and Appropriate Waste Management)==
 The types of [[Healthcare Waste]] are grouped and designated by packaging colour set out in the table below (can be bag colour or lid colour)<ref>[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f05a7fae90e0712d0206e88/Types_of_healthcare_waste_table.pdf Types of Healthcare Waste]</ref> <ref name ='Tech1'/>: