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Uploaded byDr Gouri Malipatil
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Comprehensive Guide to Healthcare Waste Management and Segregation

Detailed overview of healthcare waste types, categorization, segregation, handling, disposal methods, and safety protocols in medical facilities.

Healthcare◦
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Dr Gouri Malipatil Sharnbasva University, Kalaburagi
General Healthcare Waste (Non-Hazardous Waste) General healthcare waste refers to waste generated in healthcare facilities that does not pose any biological, chemical, or radioactive risk. It constitutes about 75–85% of total hospital waste. Examples • Paper, cardboard • Food waste • Packaging materials • Non-contaminated plastics
Hazardous Healthcare Waste Waste that poses potential risk to health or environment due to its infectious, toxic, or radioactive nature. It consists of 10 – 25% of biomedical waste. The hazardous waste contains infectious characteristics of about 15% – 18 % and toxicity characteristics of about 5% – 7%. Types • Infectious waste • Pathological waste • Sharps • Chemical waste • Pharmaceutical waste • Genotoxic waste • Radioactive waste
1. Infectious waste: Waste contaminated with blood, body fluids, or microorganisms capable of causing disease. Example: Used dressings, bandages, Blood-soaked cotton, Body fluids, Laboratory cultures Sources: Isolation wards, Operation theatres, ICUs, Microbiology laboratories
2. Pathological Waste Waste consisting of human or animal tissues, organs, body parts, and fluids removed during surgery or autopsy. Example: Human tissues and organs, Placenta, Body parts, Blood and body fluids Sources: Operation theatres, Labour rooms, Mortuaries, Pathology labs
3. Sharps Waste Objects capable of cutting or puncturing skin, causing injury and infection. Examples: Needles, Syringes with needles, Scalpels, blades, Broken glass
4. Chemical Waste Waste containing chemical substances used in diagnosis, cleaning, disinfection, or laboratory processes. Sources: Laboratories, Housekeeping, Disinfection units Examples: Formaldehyde, Disinfectants, Solvents, X-ray processing chemicals
5. Pharmaceutical Waste Waste containing expired, unused, spilt, or contaminated medicines and drugs. Sources: Pharmacies, Wards, Drug stores Examples: Expired tablets and syrups, Vaccines, Antibiotics, Discarded vials
6. Genotoxic Waste Waste containing substances that are mutagenic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic, affecting genetic material. Sources: Oncology departments, Chemotherapy units, Research labs Examples: Cytotoxic drugs, Chemotherapy waste, Contaminated materials (gloves, IV sets)
7. Radioactive Waste Waste containing radioactive substances used in diagnosis or treatment. Sources: Radiotherapy units, Nuclear medicine departments, Research labs Examples: Radioactive isotopes, Contaminated syringes, Patient excreta after radiotherapy
Categorization of Hospital Waste Segregation of Infectious-BMW
Categorization of Biomedical Waste
A. Yellow Category (Highly Infectious & Hazardous) This category includes waste that is highly infectious, pathological, or chemically hazardous and cannot be recycled. It requires complete destruction. Examples: • Human anatomical waste (tissues, organs) • Animal waste • Soiled waste (blood-stained dressings, cotton, bandages) • Expired or discarded medicines (especially antibiotics) • Chemical waste (used disinfectants) Disposal Method: Incineration / deep burial
B. Red Category (Contaminated Recyclable Waste) Includes contaminated plastic materials that can be disinfected and recycled. Examples: • IV tubes • Catheters • Syringes without needles • Gloves • Urine bags Disposal Method: Autoclaving/microwaving → shredding → recycling
C. White Category (Sharps Waste) This includes waste capable of causing cuts or puncture wounds, leading to infection risk. Examples: • Needles • Syringes with needles • Scalpels • Blades Disposal Method: Autoclaving/dry heat sterilization → shredding or encapsulation
D. Blue Category (Glassware & Metallic Waste) Type: Includes broken or discarded glass and metallic items. Examples: • Broken glass • Medicine vials • Ampoules Disposal Method: Disinfection → recycling
Segregation of waste Segregation of biomedical waste is defined as: “The process of separating different types of waste into distinct categories at the source using color-coded containers to facilitate safe treatment and disposal.”
WASTE CATEGORY TYPE OF WASTE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL Category No. 1 Human Anatomical Waste (Human tissues, organs, body parts) incineration/deep burial Category No. 2 Animal Waste: (Animal tissues, organs, body parts, carcasses, bleeding parts, fluid, blood and experimental animals used in research, waste generated by veterinary hospitals and colleges, discharge from hospitals) Incineration/ deep burial* Category No. 3 Microbiology & Biotechnology Waste (Wastes from laboratory cultures, stocks or specimen of live micro organisms or attenuated vaccines, human and animal cell cultures used in research and infectious agents from research and industrial laboratories, wastes from production of biologicals, toxins and devices used for transfer of cultures) Local autoclaving/ microwaving /incineration
WASTE CATEGORY TYPE OF WASTE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL Category No. 4 Waste Sharps (Needles, syringes, scalpels, blades, glass, etc. that may cause puncture and cuts. This includes both used and unused sharps) Disinfecting (chemical treatment / autoclaving / microwaving and mutilation /shredding## Category No. 5 Discarded Medicine and Cytotoxic drugs (Wastes comprising of outdated, contaminated and discarded medicines) Incineration / destruction and drugs disposal in secured landfills Category No. 6 Soiled Waste (Items contaminated with body fluids including cotton, dressings, soiled plaster casts, lines, bedding and other materials contaminated with blood.) Incineration / autoclaving / microwaving
WASTE CATEGORY TYPE OF WASTE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OPTION Category No. 7 Solid Waste (Waste generated from disposable items other than the waste sharps such as tubing, catheters, intravenous sets, etc.) Disinfecting by chemical treatment/ autoclaving / microwaving and mutilation / shredding Category No. 8 Liquid Waste (Waste generated from the laboratory and washing, cleaning, house keeping and disinfecting activities) Disinfecting by chemical treatment and discharge into drains Category No. 9 Incineration Ash (Ash from incineration of any biomedical waste) Disposal in municipal landfill Category No. 10 Chemical Waste (Chemicals used in production of biologicals, chemicals used in disinfecting, as insecticides, etc.) Chemical treatment and discharge into drains for liquids and secured landfill for solids.
Colour Coding and type of Container Schedule II Colour Coding Type of Container Waste Category Treatment options as per Schedule I Yellow Plastic bag Cat.1,Cat.2, Cat.3and Cat.6 Incineration/ deep burial Red Disinfected container/ plastic bag Cat.3, Cat.6, and Cat.7 Autoclaving/Micro waving/ Chemical Treatment Blue/ White Translucent Plastic Bag/ puncture proof container Cat.4 and Cat.7 Autoclaving/Micro waving/ Chemical Treatment and destruction/ shredding Black Plastic bag Cat.5, Cat.9, and Cat.10 (solid) Disposal in secured landfill
Waste handling and disposal Waste handling and disposal refers to the systematic process of collecting, segregating, transporting, treating, and safely disposing of waste to minimize risks to human health and the environment. Steps in waste handling: a) Segregation b) Collection c) Storage d) Transportation
Segregation Segregation is the separation of different types of waste at the source. It is the most crucial step in biomedical waste management, as it reduces risks and lowers handling and disposal costs. • Minimizes the amount of waste requiring special treatment • Prevents mixing of hazardous waste (e.g., sharps) with general waste • Avoids illegal reuse of items like syringes and needles • Enables safe recycling of disinfected materials (e.g., plastics) • Supports use of recycled plastics for non-food purposes • Allows composting of biodegradable waste within hospital premises • Promotes environmentally friendly practices and revenue generation • Reduces treatment cost, as ~80% of hospital waste is general waste if not contaminated
Proper Labelling of Bins • All bins and bags must carry the biohazard symbol to indicate hazardous waste. • Labelling helps patients, visitors, and staff identify the type of waste. • It also ensures safe handling, segregation, and transportation.
Collection of Biomedical Waste • Waste is collected from different hospital areas such as: • Operation Theatre (OT) • Laboratories • Wards • Kitchen and corridors • Bins must be placed strategically to ensure 100% waste collection. • Sharps (needles, blades) must always be disposed of in puncture- proof containers to prevent injuries and infections. • Collection should be done regularly to avoid overflow and contamination.
Storage of Waste • After collection, waste is stored in a designated storage area. • Waste must be kept in properly labelled and identifiable containers for traceability. • Storage duration: • Large hospitals (>250 beds): 8–10 hours • Nursing homes: up to 24 hours • Storage areas should: • Have caution signs • Be secure and hygienic • Be away from patient care areas • Proper storage prevents infection spread and environmental hazards.
Transportation of Waste • Waste should be transported using: • Trolleys • Covered wheelbarrows • Manual handling should be avoided as much as possible. • Waste bags/containers must be: • Properly sealed or lidded • Accompanied by a signed document (date, shift, quantity, destination) • Transportation should be done using closed and dedicated vehicles to prevent exposure. • Drivers and handlers must be trained to manage spills and accidents. • Transport containers should be leak-proof and easy to clean.
Personnel Safety Devices (PPE) • Proper protective equipment is essential for all waste handlers: • Gloves: Heavy-duty rubber gloves (preferably bright-colored) to prevent direct contact. Must be washed and disinfected after use. • Aprons/Gowns/Suits: Protect skin and clothing. Incinerator workers should wear non-inflammable materials. • Masks, Goggles, Face Shields: Protect against splashes, aerosols, and harmful gases. • Boots: Rubber, anti-skid boots covering the ankle to protect against spills and injuries. Note: PPE reduces the risk of infections like Hepatitis B, HIV, and other occupational hazards.
Cleaning Devices • Used for maintaining hygiene in healthcare settings: • Brooms: Long-handled to avoid bending • Dustpans: Smooth surface, easy to clean and disinfect • Mops: Long-handled, replaceable; used for floor cleaning • Vacuum Cleaners: Used based on room size Note: All cleaning equipment must be regularly disinfected.
Storage Devices (Dustbins) • Dustbins should be of adequate capacity to prevent overflow. • Must be cleaned and disinfected after each use. • Lined with color-coded, chlorine-free plastic bags as per regulations. • Proper bin management ensures efficient segregation and hygiene.
Handling Devices a) Trolleys • Used to transport waste safely within the facility • Reduce manual handling and contamination risk b) Wheelbarrows • Used to move waste from source to collection points • Should carry only packed waste (not loose) • Must prevent spillage of liquids c) Chutes • Vertical systems for transporting waste in multi-storey hospitals • Made of stainless steel with self-closing lids • Reduce horizontal movement and contamination risk • Must be cleaned and fumigated regularly • Alternatively, lifts or elevators can be used for waste transport.