Practical Healthcare Waste Management Module 2 Waste Types

Practical Healthcare Waste Management Module 2 Waste Types and Disposal Requirements Module 2: Waste Types and Disposal Requirements

Practical Healthcare Waste Management What You will Learn in this Section 1. Waste types, and their sources, in healthcare facilities 2. The difference between risk and non-risk waste 3. Waste management obligations for different waste types Module 2: Waste Types and Disposal Requirements

Practical Healthcare Waste Management (1) Sources of Healthcare Waste • Healthcare facilities produce a wide range of wastes • Healthcare risk waste - any waste classified as hazardous/mixed or contaminated with hazardous waste • Characteristics of healthcare risk waste: – contains infectious agents – contains toxic or hazardous chemicals or pharmaceuticals – radioactive – contains sharps • Approx. 20% of healthcare waste is risk waste depending on the type of facility. Module 2: Waste Types and Disposal Requirements

Practical Healthcare Waste Management Health Risks Pathogens in infectious waste can enter the body via: • Through a puncture, abrasion or cut in the skin (e. g. : HIV, Hepatitis…). • Through the mucous membranes (e. g. : Anthrax, skin infections…) • By inhalation (e. g. : respiratory infections…) • By ingestion (e. g. : Gastroenteric infections…. ) Managing Risk • Protective clothing • Hand washing and disinfection • Protection of water bodies • Vaccinations for waste handlers (e. g. Hepatitis, tetanus) Module 2: Waste Types and Disposal Requirements

Practical Healthcare Waste Management (3) Healthcare Risk and Non-Risk Waste • The Dept of Health published Guidelines for dealing with waste in 2010 – Encourages source segregation techniques – A system of colour coded bins and bags is in place for each of the different types of healthcare risk waste – Only risk waste of the correct type should be placed into the appropriate bin so that the waste can be sent for the correct method of treatment Module 2: Waste Types and Disposal Requirements

Practical Healthcare Waste Management • 2/ 3 fill bags • To Fill line containers Module 2: Waste Types and Disposal Requirements

Practical Healthcare Waste Management (4) Waste Management Processes and Techniques Available • Reduce, reuse, recycle, where possible – Which wastes produced in HSE are suitable for recycling? • Colour-coding of bins & good segregation • Additional recycling bins? • Information & signage Module 2: Waste Types and Disposal Requirements

Practical Healthcare Waste Management Strategies - Recycling What can be recycled? § § § § § Cardboard; Office paper; News/Mags Food waste Textiles Plastics Glass Aluminium Wood Metal from old equipment/furniture Construction & Demolition Waste Electrical/ Electronic Equipment e. g. ICT equipment Module 2: Waste Types and Disposal Requirements

Practical Healthcare Waste Management Does recycling make financial sense? 2008 -’ 09 Figures from HSE Waste Steering Committee: Indicative cost per tonne € 900 Yellow bag/ bins Yellow Bins w/ purple or Black Lids € 2, 048 Black bags € 130 - € 250 Recyclables € 70 - € 98 Module 2: Waste Types and Disposal Requirements

Practical Healthcare Waste Management End of Module 2: Waste Types and Disposal Requirements