The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 (SI 894) govern the disposal of hazardous and clinical wastes in England and Wales. They are available on the Office of Public Sector Information’s website at www.opsi.gov.uk.
Guidance on the Hazardous Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 is available at the Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service’s website at www.ehsni.gov.uk.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency’s Pollution Prevention Guidelines: Hospitals and Healthcare Establishments: PPG 25 is available on the Agency’s website at www.sepa.org.uk.
Waste – A Duty of Care is available on the Welsh Assembly Government’s website at www.wales.gov.uk.
The regulations are detailed and lengthy, even when explained in the guidance available on the national websites cited above. The College of Optometrists’ guidelines titled “Infection Control in Optometric Practices” offers guidance to College members on control of infections and disposal of waste in optometric practices, and members are advised to consult and comply with the same.
Most waste produced in optometric practice is not considered clinical (as it is not hazardous). This means that "healthcare" waste, e.g. used contact lenses, Fluorets, soiled tissues etc can be disposed of in the general waste. Clinical waste is defined in the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992 and includes ‘any waste which consists wholly or partly of drugs or other pharmaceutical products, swabs or dressings, or syringes, needles or other sharp instruments’ and any other waste which may cause infection to any person coming into contact with it. This waste is hazardous and must be disposed of in line with the College guidelines.
NB: All drug waste, such as used Minims or time-expired drugs, although not hazardous, must be disposed of by incineration. If your local authority does not incinerate waste, and you do not have a contract with a registered waste disposal company, ask a local pharmacy or GP surgery if they will be willing to help you out.
Further information on the disposal of healthcare was can be found on the Department of Health website, www.dh.gov.uk.
[January 2007.]
