Am I a waste producer if I produce clinical waste?

Clinical waste refers to the waste produced by medical related establishments and from medical related practices as defined in Section 2 of the Waste Disposal (Amendment) Ordinance 2006. Common waste producers are hospitals, clinics and elderly homes. By the same definition, households are NOT regarded as producers of clinical waste even though they may produce certain types of waste such as syringes.

As a clinical waste producer, how do I dispose of clinical waste generated from my premises properly?

On waste disposal, a clinical waste producer should first obtain a “Premise Code” from EPD to identify the premises where waste is generated, and then fulfill the duty by arranging proper disposal of clinical waste through one of the following methods:

1. engaging the service of a licensed clinical waste collector to remove the clinical waste from the waste producing premises.
2. arranging a healthcare professional to deliver clinical waste not exceeding 5kg on any occasion to a licensed clinical waste disposal facility or a clinical waste collection point following the requirements prescribed in the Waste Disposal (Clinical Waste) (General) Regulation.
3. disposing of the clinical waste at the premises where there is an on-site licensed clinical waste disposal facility.
   

After obtaining a Clinical Waste Producer Premises Code from EPD, a waste producer can look up the list of licensed clinical waste collectors from the following web link and arrange with any of these service providers to collect clinical waste from the premises.
http://epic.epd.gov.hk/ca/uid/waste_clinical/p/1

A waste producer needs to keep all waste consignment and delivery records for not less than 12 months and, upon request, make them available for inspection by EPD staff

I produce only a small quantity of clinical waste. Can I just mix clinical waste together with other municipal solid waste and let a waste collector take it away?

Clinical waste must not be disposed of with general municipal waste. Under the Clinical Waste Control Scheme, it will be an offence if clinical waste from medical related establishments or practices is not collected by a licensed clinical waste collector, or delivered to a licensed waste disposal facility or collection point by a healthcare professional.

How do I take care of the clinical waste before handing it over to a licensed clinical waste collector?

The clinical waste should be properly segregated, packaged and stored prior to collection. EPD has issued two sets of Codes of Practice to provide guidance on the proper handling and management of clinical waste for major clinical waste producers and small waste producers respectively. Click here for details.

Is my responsibility complete when I hand over the waste to a clinical waste collector?

A clinical waste producer has duty of care to arrange for his clinical waste to be properly disposed of. He should carefully select a licensed waste collector who provides quality service and also monitor the collector's service. When there are concerns or complaints against the collector on mis-handling of his clinical waste, the waste producer should quickly take remedial actions.