How to manage healthcare waste and reduce its environmental impact

Abstract

Healthcare waste is likely to increase with a rise in the global population and access to medical care. The main reasons to optimise waste management are the statutory duty of care, to reduce environmental impact, for the health and safety of personnel and to reduce financial costs. Working up the waste hierarchy, the priority must be the initial prevention of waste production. This article provides a guide to managing healthcare waste and ways to try and reduce its environmental impact.