Aesthetics waste includes medical equipment and materials used in cosmetic and beauty treatments, and most are a form of clinical waste. Aesthetics waste streams should be disposed of in colour-coded containers, based on the type and risks that they present.
As per The Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, clinical waste doesn’t only include waste produced during healthcare activities. Therefore, the following items must be treated as clinical waste, even if they were produced through a cosmetic workflow:
- Items containing viable micro-organisms or their toxins which are known or believed to cause disease,
- Items that contain or are contaminated by a medicine that includes a biologically active pharmaceutical and,
- Sharps, bodily fluids, or other biological material containing or contaminated with a hazardous substance.
Some examples of aesthetic waste include botulinum toxin (known by the brand name Botox®) needles, micro-needling derma rollers, blades and the tools used during liposuction. PPE, such as the gloves worn during waxing, and contaminated wipes, padding and couch roll would also be categorised as aesthetic waste.
How do you safely dispose of aesthetic waste?
Professionals can safely dispose of aesthetic waste by segregating it carefully into the correct clinical waste container that accommodates its specific hazard(s).
Needles, syringes and blades must be placed safely into dedicated sharps waste bins. These containers are made from sturdy, durable plastic and feature a tight, secure lid to prevent accidental spills and injuries.
Liquid waste, such as waste from liposuction, or items such as cannulas should be placed into a leakproof rigid container, and soft, dry, non-sharp items such as used PPE, dressing and bandages can be placed in clinical waste bags.
Any clinical or hazardous waste streams must be collected using a specialist waste management service. Initial Medical
What is the colour code for aesthetics waste?
Aesthetics waste must also be organised into different colour-coded containers depending on its hazard(s) as an infectious item. Clinicians can follow the colour-code set out in Health Technical Memorandum 07-01.
Infectious items, meaning they have been contaminated by a potentially infectious substance such as blood, should be disposed of via the orange colour waste stream. This could include infectious wipes, bandages, or non-medicinal syringes and blades used during some treatments.
If the item is known to be contaminated by chemical or pharmaceutical components, it should be disposed of via the yellow colour waste stream.
The final colour to note is purple, which is used for cytotoxic or cytostatic waste. Botulinum toxin is the only substance practitioners are likely to encounter that is cytotoxic or cytostatic. Anything contaminated by it – including syringes, wipes, and blades – must be placed in an appropriate purple bin or bag, which will then be incinerated. Unused injections must also be placed in purple waste containers when discarded.
Why is botulinum toxin (Botox®) considered hazardous?
Botulinum toxin is considered hazardous because it causes muscle paralysis. Whilst this is beneficial for cosmetic treatment, it can be dangerous in the environment to both people and animals.
Aesthetics waste contaminated by botulinum toxin must be incinerated to ensure it cannot affect the world around us.
Partner with a Specialist Waste Management Service
Managing clinical waste can be complex. A specialist waste management service like Initial Medical takes the worry out of compliance. We provide:
- Safe and reliable collection and disposal of all healthcare waste streams
- A range of color-coded containers and bags
- Expert advice and support to ensure you meet all legal requirements
Ready to streamline your aesthetic waste disposal and ensure complete peace of mind? Contact Initial Medical today for a consultation and quote on our waste management services.
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