Back to basics
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 14th February 2022
A dental practice will naturally generate many different types of waste throughout the day. So, as a reminder, it’s time to go back to basics and take a closer look at the Department of Health’s best practice colour coded guide.
Why is correct waste disposal important?
Correct onsite segregation of waste is vital to remain compliant with government regulations.
Furthermore, your waste has the potential to impact the environment and humans alike. Any objects that are contaminated with potentially infectious substances such as blood or saliva, for example, may cause the spread of certain diseases if they come into contact with unsuspecting individuals.
To protect the environment, waste such as dental amalgam, gypsum and certain medicines must be disposed of properly too. All of these materials can be dangerous to wildlife in certain conditions, with some even having long-term effects that are potentially dangerous for humans as well.
Correct waste disposal is therefore vital in order to preserve people’s health and help your practice to be as eco-friendly as possible.
Following the colour code
The Department of Health’s HTM 07-01 Safe Management of Healthcare Waste Memorandum is a best practice guide for efficient, safe waste categorisation. Here is an overview of each category:
Clinical Waste (Yellow and Orange)
Clinical Waste is split into two different colours – yellow and orange. The yellow waste stream is reserved for Clinical Highly Infectious Waste which includes any items that may be contaminated with Class A pathogens. Typically, these are identified as those that could cause disability or fatal disease following contact, or that have the potential to lead to a major public health crisis, such as anthrax, Ebola, and the plague virus.[i] In light of this, it’s unusual that you will come across this waste stream, but it’s important to be aware to help prevent any outbreak of disease. This waste will also need to be sent for incineration as per guidelines.
The orange waste stream is Clinical Infectious Waste. The main differentiation between the orange and yellow waste streams is that orange waste is waste that has come into contact with someone who is suspected or known to have an infectious disease rather than an extremely dangerous Class A pathogen.
The majority of clinical infectious waste generated in dental practices is disposed of as orange clinical waste. All waste that is contaminated with bodily fluids, such as blood must be categorised under this waste stream. Throughout the pandemic, the vast majority of waste generated was put under this umbrella in order to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus and keep people safe. With enhanced PPE measures in place and extra protective items required due to aerosol generating procedures, many practices are still producing much higher levels of clinical waste at this time.
Dental Waste (White and White with Skull and Crossbones)
There are two varieties of dental waste – gypsum (dental models) and dental amalgam – both of which pose threats to the natural world.
Dental amalgam contains mercury which, in marine environments, converts into methylmercury. This is dangerous as methylmercury bioaccumulates in the bodies of marine life such as fish, potentially causing them harm. Plus, if a human were to consume one of these creatures, there is a risk that they could suffer from mercury poisoning.[ii]Dental amalgam is categorised as white (with skull and crossbones), and dental amalgam separators are mandatory on all waterways where this material may enter the waste water stream, including sinks and dental chairs.
On the other hand, gypsum dental models (white waste) pose a threat to the environment as they can release dangerous hydrogen sulphide gas in landfill settings when in contact with decomposing matter. This gas is dangerous as it is toxic and colourless, meaning that it poses a threat to humans and wildlife alike.[iii] Plus, the gas has been associated with depletion of the earth’s Ozone layer. This is because the sulphur particles in the gas can, in certain scenarios, react with chlorine gases from other pollution to create molecules that destroy Ozone.[iv]
Cytostatic/Cytotoxic Waste (Purple)
If you provide any facial aesthetic treatments with botulinum toxin, you’ll need to dispose of this as cytostatic waste. Anything contaminated with botulinum toxin needs to be segregated and disposed of separately as this substance is a neurotoxin that has a direct influence on cell behaviour.[v] If items containing or covered in this substance should come into contact with a human or any wildlife, this could lead to dangerous side effects.
Mixed Municipal Waste (Black)
The black waste stream is reserved for standard waste such as food packaging, dead flowers and other non-healthcare waste found in your practice. You should try to recycle as much of this waste as possible as all non-recyclable waste is sent to landfill. Different types of local recycling (glass, plastic, paper etc) will depend on your local council.
Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Waste (Blue)
Any out of date medicines or denatured controlled drugs are considered to be Medicinal or Pharmaceutical Waste. The reason that these items need to be segregated from other waste streams is that they may be dangerous if they come into contact with humans or wildlife. In your practice you may come across this waste stream if you have anaesthetics, painkillers or any other medicines that you may prescribe that have gone out of date.
Anatomical Waste (Red)
Anatomical waste is generally body parts and blood packs/blood preserves. As such, it’s unlikely that you will come into contact with this waste stream in the dental practice.
Keep the code fresh in your mind
Initial Medical is here to help all dental practices segregate waste safely and properly. Alongside offering a vast array of colour-coded containers for all waste streams and certain products designed to streamline waste segregation such as the PureMotion® amalgam separator, Initial Medical provides waste disposal services that are completely bespoke to your practice, for ease and compliance. You can also download some FREE colour code posters at https://www.initial.co.uk/colour-coding-guide/ for your practice, that highlight the information in this article and that can be displayed around your premises so that staff are always aware of what waste goes where.
Rebecca Waters, Category Manager, Initial Medical
Rebecca has worked in the Healthcare sector for the past 17years and was a Research Chemist with Bayer Cropscience prior to joining Rentokil Initial in 2003. She keeps up to date on all developments within the clinical waste management industry and is an active member of the CIWM, SMDSA and BDIA.
For further information please visit www.initial.co.uk/medical or Tel: 0870 850 4045
About Initial Medical Waste
Initial Medical set the standard in healthcare and infectious waste management in the UK, providing a reliable, effective and fully compliant service built around customer needs and delivered by our highly trained local teams. We are ISO 9001:2015 accredited, with technology fully integrated into our operations, providing full traceability of service delivery, electronic waste documentation and the best customer experience possible. We also offer innovative healthcare waste management services and infection control products, to help break the chain of transmission and prevent cross contamination.
Initial Medical are a company with a ‘World Class’ Health and Safety record, and ISO 45001:2018 accreditation. We are also accredited to ISO 14001:2015 environmental standards, and pride ourselves on our sustainable approach with a focus on delivering eco-friendly products and operational solutions.
For further information please visit www.initial.co.uk/medical or Tel: 0870 850 4045
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[i] NIH. National institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. NIAID Emerging Infectious Diseases/Pathogens. Link: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/research/emerging-infectious-diseases-pathogens [Last accessed November 21].
[ii] Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The Mercury Cycle. Link: https://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/how-does-toxic-mercury-get-into-fish/ [Last accessed November 21].
[iii] Edie. Environment Agency Issues New Gypsum Waste Guidance. Link: https://www.edie.net/library/Environment-Agency-issues-new-gypsum-waste-guidance/4908 [Last accessed November 21].
[iv] LiveScience. Two Evils Compete: Global Warming vs Ozone Hole. Link: https://www.livescience.com/2488-evils-compete-global-warming-ozone-hole.html [Last accessed December 21].
[v] Medical News Today. Botox: Cosmetic and Medical Uses. Link: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158647#what-is-botox [Last accessed November 21].
