Safe Management of Waste
Objective
To raise awareness of the importance of appropriate management and disposal of healthcare waste.
Further information: Preventing Infection Workbook - Page 23
Why is the safe management of waste important?
The correct segregation and disposal of healthcare waste is essential to minimise infection risk and protect staff, residents, visitors, and the wider environment.
All staff are responsible for ensuring waste is disposed of safely and in line with legislation and local procedures.
Waste Stream Guide for Care Home Settings
Infectious Waste
Waste from residents with confirmed, suspected, or at risk of infection, contaminated with urine, faeces, vomit, sputum, pus, or wound exudate.
Examples include:
- PPE, incontinence pads, urine bags, single-use bowls, dressings.
- Waste from blood and/or body fluid spillages.
Disposal:
- Must be treated to render it safe before disposal, or
- Incinerated at a licensed facility.
Offensive / Hygiene Waste
Waste contaminated with urine, faeces, vomit, sputum, pus, or wound exudate, but with no risk of confirmed or suspected infection.
Examples include:
- PPE, incontinence pads, urine bags, single-use bowls, dressings, feminine hygiene products, nappies.
Liquids:
- Urine, faeces, vomit should be disposed of via the foul sewer (toilet).
- They may also be absorbed onto a disposable cloth (e.g. paper towel) or with absorbent gel before disposal, ensuring no free-flowing liquid remains.
Disposal:
- Offensive/hygiene waste may be sent to landfill at a permitted or licensed facility.
Household (Domestic) Waste
Waste that does not contain infectious material, sharps, or medicinal products.
Examples include:
- Paper hand towels.
- Packaging, newspapers, non-recyclable waste.
Disposal:
- Consider recycling where possible.
- Household waste may be sent to landfill at a permitted or licensed facility.
Things to Remember:
- Waste bins in clinical areas, resident's rooms and toilets should be foot pedal operated with a lid. Always use the foot operated mechanism to open the lid to prevent hand contamination. If this is used by the resident, a risk assessment should be undertaken.
- Waste bins in non-clinical areas, e.g. office, should have a liner, but do not need to have a lid.
- Sharps containers awaiting collection should not be placed inside a waste bag.
- If a waste bag awaiting collection is torn or contaminated, the bag and contents should be placed inside a new bag.
Resources
Infection Prevention Control Spillage Kits Location Poster: Spillage kits located at Poster - Infection Prevention Control
Steri Cycle GP Sharps Waste Poster:Nursing Home Sharps Waste.pdf
Correct Sharps Disposal SRCLPoster: Correct-sharps-disposal-Poster-August-2025.pdf
References and Further Guidance Links:
PHW/NHS Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual (CH IPCM) - Public Health Wales
PHW - Waste Management Procedure: phw.nhs.wales/about-us/policies-and-procedures/policies-and-procedures-documents/risk-management-health-and-safety-and-estates-supporting-documents/phw-63-tp01-waste-management-procedures-v1/?
