Pharmaceutical items used throughout healthcare routines require careful management to protect clinical teams, patients, and waste handlers from harm. This is especially the case with cytotoxic and cytostatic waste, both of which can be severely damaging if they come...
Recycling is one of the most important aspects of the waste management workflow, and helps healthcare practices look after the wider environment. Segregating recyclable items can substantially reduce the volume of general clinical waste produced by a practice. Depending...
Improper sharps disposal creates serious risks. Needle injuries, infection transmission, and potential legal penalties. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for enforcing sharps safety regulations, emphasising the need for robust protocols. Confidence in your...
Dental professionals produce waste every day, from single-use PPE such as gloves and face coverings, to packaging for clean equipment. However, other common waste items are teeth – and clinicians must be prepared to manage them. Every member of...
Laboratory clinical waste guidance The laboratory can use a number of different materials day to day, and produce a variety of hazardous solutions, which each require safe handling. Understanding key aspects of the waste workflow is vital for a...
Simple reminders for gold-standard waste management around the dental laboratory can be really helpful. Ensuring items are segregated appropriately is key to protecting staff and the environment. Understanding why waste needs to be segregated is just one step to...
Microbiological items in the laboratory workflow help make landmark discoveries, but they need to be managed safely when they enter the waste workflow. RPS 233 is a regulatory position statement (RPS) that affects all laboratories managing microbiological products. They...
Initial Medical teamed up with the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) for an up-to-date 2025 survey on inoculation injuries in dental care, and the results tell us changes can and should be made in practice. The results found...
Care homes produce waste every single day, and all items need to be disposed of safely to protect residents and staff. Managing waste items is also important for regulatory compliance, and ensuring the nursing home provides high-quality care. What...
Tooth extractions are needed for various reasons in dental care, but make no mistake, they aren’t anatomical waste. At least, teeth don’t need to be discarded as anatomical waste in the same way that other soft and hard tissues...