Waste Management

Policy

We categorise, store, and safely dispose of all waste in compliance with:

• NZS 4304:2002 Management of Healthcare Waste
• NZS 8134:2021 Ngā paerewa Health and disability services standard

Our waste management procedures aim to prevent the spread of infection, protect the environment, and ensure the health and safety of anyone who may come into contact with our practice's waste. We consider the impact of our waste disposal decisions on the environment, and are mindful of how those decisions relate to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We align our waste disposal processes with local council requirements and by-laws. We are committed to minimising waste where possible, and have implemented reuse and recycle strategies to help with this.

Potential waste management hazards are identified and eliminated, isolated, or mitigated as part of the practice's health and safety policy and procedures. Any incidents involving waste, hazardous substances, or dangerous goods are managed according to the practice's incident management procedure.

The waste management officer oversees the correct handling and disposal of waste. Other team members are aware of their roles and responsibilities.

New clinical staff are trained on the principles of waste management during their induction, with additional training as required.

Categorising and disposing of waste

Waste is categorised and disposed of according to the guidelines in NZS 4304:2002.

• General, non-hazardous waste

  Non-hazardous waste includes most waste that isn't recognisable as coming from a health care facility.

  For example:

  • general rubbish
  • recyclables
  • confidential documents.

• Controlled waste

  Controlled waste is generally recognisable as coming from a health care facility.

  It will likely include the bulk of the practice's non-sharp medical waste. For example:

  • wound dressings (which won't leak if compressed)
  • disposable sheeting
  • empty syringes (no needles)
  • tubing or specimen containers
  • disposable gloves, masks, and aprons.

  It is best practice for controlled waste to be collected and processed by specialist contractors. It can only be disposed of with general rubbish if local council by-laws permit.

• Hazardous waste

  Hazardous waste is any waste that poses a risk to the health or safety of the public, or to the environment. Examples include:

  • infectious medical waste
  • empty hazardous chemical containers (e.g. formaldehyde or solvents)
  • human tissue
  • wound dressings that could leak or drip if squeezed/squashed
  • sharps.

  Hazardous waste should only be collected and processed by specifically accredited contractors.

If items could leak or drip, wrap in absorbent material (e.g. paper towels) and place in a plastic bag before disposal.

Staff handling practice waste must follow standard precautions at all times.

For disposal of expired medications, see also Controlled Drug Stock.

Disposing of waste in an emergency

In a health or civil defence emergency, if the practice's normal waste disposal procedures are insufficient or unavailable, the waste management officer and/or emergency coordinator adjust procedures as needed.

In a health emergency, e.g. pandemic, items that are normally included in general waste will be treated as controlled waste to limit the spread of infection.

See also Pandemic Response and Business Continuity Plan.

Requests to return body tissue

Keeping the body intact is important in many cultures. For Māori, the separation of tissue from the body is inconsistent with the concept of waiora and may cause distress for some patients.

Where possible, body tissue will be returned to the patient if requested. We manage requests to return tissue in a respectful way that is consistent with the patient's cultural, spiritual, and religious beliefs.