Hazardous waste

Categorising and segregating your waste correctly is essential; it's imperative that you place the right waste in the right container and that it's transported and disposed of in accordance with current legislation.

There are a few transport and disposal options that we can talk through with you so that you can make an informed choice on how best to dispose of your waste. Broadly speaking, you will be able to choose between a more eco-friendly disposal option and a more financially beneficial option.

The most common hazardous 'clinical' waste streams are generated in care and treatment environments such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, GP practices etc.

The European Waste Catalogue Code describes these waste streams as follows; but, please note that 18 01 04 is NOT hazardous waste, 18 01 04 is offensive waste and in many cases much cheaper to dispose of...

EWCC 18 - WASTES FROM HUMAN OR ANIMAL HEALTH CARE AND/OR RELATED RESEARCH (except kitchen and restaurant wastes not arising from immediate health care).
EWCC 18 01 - Wastes from natal care, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease in humans.
EWCC 18 01 01 – sharps (except 18 01 03). Clinical waste - autoclaved, Clinical waste, Hospital waste - clinical, Hospital - clinical waste, Clinical waste n/o/s, Materials – infected clinical), Needles (clinical), Sharps - human treatment, Syringes.
EWCC 18 01 02 – Body parts and organs including blood bags and blood preserves (except 18 01 03). Blood - Human, Clinical waste - autoclaved, Clinical waste, Hospital – clinical waste, Clinical waste n/o/s, Materials - infected (clinical), Hospital waste - clinical, Human tissue, Tissue - human.
EWCC 18 01 03* - wastes whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection. Clinical waste - autoclaved, Clinical waste, Used stoma bags, Bags - stoma (used),Stoma bags (used), Dressings - soiled, Soiled dressings, Soiled swabs, Swabs - soiled, Hospital - clinical waste, Clinical waste n/o/s, Infectious materials (clinical).
18 01 04 - wastes whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection (for example dressings, plaster casts, linen, disposable clothing, diapers). Clinical waste - autoclaved, Clinical waste, Used stoma bags, Bags - stoma (used), Autoclaved clinical waste, Stoma bags (used), Dressings - soiled, Soiled dressings, Soiled swabs, Swabs - soiled, Hospital - clinical waste, Clinical waste n/o/s.
18 01 06* - chemicals consisting of or containing dangerous substances. Ethanol.
18 01 07 – chemicals other than those mentioned in 18 01 06.
18 01 08* - cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines. Hospital - clinical waste, Drugs - controlled, Drugs - cytotoxic, Drugs - prescribed, Medicines - prescription, Pharmaceutical products, Pharmaceutical waste, Hospital waste – clinical.
18 01 09 - medicines other than those mentioned in 18 01 08. Drugs - controlled, Drugs - prescribed, Medicines - non-prescription, Medicines - prescription, Hospital - clinical waste, Pharmaceutical products, Pharmaceutical waste, Hospital waste - clinical.
18 01 10* - amalgam waste from dental care. Amalgam - dental, Hospital - clinical waste, Hospital waste – clinical.

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Hazardous, offensive or pharmaceutical?

Clinical waste is now categorised as hazardous waste or offensive waste.

A basic guide is that if the waste is likely to cause harm to anybody coming into contact with it then it's probably hazardous waste; but, if it's not potentially infectious yet still a bit grim (such as a bag of soiled nappies) then it's probably offensive waste.

It can be really tricky keeping on top of the ever changing waste legislations so if you're ever unsure how to categorise or consign your waste, we're always happy to advise you.