Preamble

Proper management of clinical waste can effectively reduce the risk associated with the waste. Waste producers, waste collectors and disposal site facilities can adopt best practices to achieve proper management of clinical waste.

Sharps

Laboratory Waste

Animal Tissues

Best Practices for Waste Producers

Waste Producers should adopt good practices to safely manage clinical waste:

• Segregation
  
• Packaging
  
• Labelling
  
• Moving waste within the premises
  
• Storage
  
• Engaging clinical waste collector
  
• Clinical Waste Management Plan
  
• Record Keeping

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Best Practices for Waste Collectors

Waste collectors should adopt good practices to safely handle clinical waste:

• Preparation
  
• Waste Checking
  
• Waste Removal
  
• Waste Loading
  
• Waste Transportation
  
• Waste Unloading at Landfills
  
• Vehicle Standards
  
• Auditing System
  
• Staff Training

Currently, all clinical waste other than group 3 waste are disposed of at landfills. A clinical waste collector has to obtain a Clinical Waste Disposal Permit before he can take clinical waste into landfills.

Following the passing of the Waste Disposal (Amendment) Bill by the Legislative Council in March 2006, EPD is preparing to implement the Clinical Waste Control Scheme in the near future. Under the Control Scheme, any person who wants to provide a collection service has to possess a collection licence. Existing companies should therefore gradually align their work practice and infrastructure to aim for smooth transition to the new system. Some insight about the control scheme is given here.