Medical Waste Disposal Regulations Nsw

Doctors and nurses speak out about the war on waste within australia s healthcare industry with one expert saying it is very difficult to get a handle on how big the problem actually is.

Medical waste disposal regulations nsw.

Medical waste is primarily regulated by state environmental and health departments. By virtue of its definition guidelines are not mandatory and are therefore not enforceable through civil charges or fines. Licensed to handle all regulated medical waste. Welcome to all medical waste australia medical waste sharps disposal service.

Medical waste these guidelines developed by the council of state governments are intended to serve as a ready reference tool for all aspects of medical waste management. It is important to contact your state environmental program first w hen disposing of medical waste. Section 4 waste management strategies 11 4 1 waste minimisation 11 4 1 1 waste avoidance 11. The protection of the environment operations act 1997.

Epa has not had authority specifically for medical waste since the medical waste tracking act mwta of 1988 expired in 1991. Chemical wastes included in the dangerous goods regulations and. This allows the nsw environment protection authority epa to set more stringent and specific requirements for the transport and management of the waste to minimise the risk to the environment and human health. Your local community pharmacy provides a free and convenient way to dispose of your unwanted medicines responsibly.

As per nsw epa the definition of what does clinical waste include is as per below where they provide 3 or 4 examples. Clinical and related waste has been pre classified as a special waste. The exact clinical waste definition and clinical waste examples will vary slightly state by state in australia but is broadly in line. Storage of expired and unwanted medicines in the home can be dangerous and unsafe disposal of unwanted medicines can lead to environmental harm.

Types of clinical waste means any waste resulting from medical nursing dental pharmaceutical skin penetration or other related. The epa provides leadership to ensure nsw has a fair modern and well regulated waste industry. All medical waste australia provides a safe and economical system of containment and disposal of medical waste and contaminated sharps. Those who handle store transport process recycle and dispose of waste must follow these rules to minimise harm to human health and the environment.

Clinical waste means any waste resulting from medical nursing dental pharmaceutical skin penetration or other related clinical activity being waste that has the potential to cause injury infection or offence and includes waste. Schedule 1 scheduled activities clause 50 other definitions defines clinical waste as follows.