Legislation

 

Duty Of Care

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 & The Waste and Contaminated Land ( Northern Ireland) Order 1997 place a "Duty of Care" on anyone who produces, collects, treats and disposes of waste. This includes feminine hygiene, clinical, sharps, medicines, dental wastes, confidential waste or other waste to be recycled (e.g. cans, paper, bottles, toner cartridges)

The main principles of duty of care are about documenting the transfer of waste and checking up on anyone you transfer waste to (e.g. if they are a registered carrier of waste, if they are taking waste to suitably licensed/permitted sites). You should only use a Contractor who can provide proof of compliance with the legislation.

Hazardous waste regulations

From 16th July 2005, The Hazardous Waste Regulations and The Hazardous Waste ( Northern Ireland) Regulations 2005 replaced The Special Waste Regulations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Special Waste (Amendment) Regulations 2004 had previously amended the Special Waste 1996 Regulations in Scotland. Certain clinical, medicinal & dental wastes are affected by the new Regulations.

The responsibility for determining if waste is special/hazardous rests with the producer, we can assist & advise.

You must not mix hazardous with non-hazardous waste.

Soft/hard clinical waste, sharps and pharmaceutical-sharps

This waste may be classed as hazardous (or special in Scotland) due to its infectious nature. The Department of Health has produced important new guidance in 'Safe Management of Healthcare Waste'

Offensive waste – Sanitary, incontinence, red lidded sharps

Feminine hygiene, nappy & incontinence wastes and fully discharged syringes are not classed as hazardous or special waste and do not require consignment notes.

Download PDFs:

Safe Management of Healthcare Waste

Safe Management of Controlled Drugs

Safe Disposal of Medicines Guidance

Hazoudous Waste Assessment