Definition of healthcare waste

Definitions and examples of different types of healthcare waste.

Healthcare waste is waste produced during human or animal healthcare, or related research activities. It covers both clinical and offensive waste.

Wastes produced by healthcare in the community, and similar types of waste produced by non-healthcare activities are included, for example:

  • cosmetic body piercing and body art
  • non-medicinal procedures in the hair and beauty sector
  • substance abuse
  • crime scene clean-up

This document lists the different types of healthcare waste by packaging colour.

‘Clinical waste’ and ‘offensive waste’ are defined in the Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012.

‘Clinical waste’ is healthcare waste that:

  • contains viable micro-organisms or their toxins which are known or reliably believed to cause disease in humans or other living organisms
  • contains or is contaminated with a medicine that contains a biologically active pharmaceutical agent
  • is a sharp, or a body fluid, or other biological material (including human and animal tissue), containing or contaminated with a hazardous substance
  • is waste of a similar nature from a non-healthcare activity

‘Offensive waste’ is waste that:

  • is not clinical waste
  • contains body fluids, secretions or excretions
  • falls within waste codes 18 01 04, 18 02 03 or 20 01 99

‘Medicine’ is a drug or other preparation for the treatment or prevention of disease. Medicines may also include diagnostic agents.

‘Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicine’ is medicine that possesses hazardous properties which are toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction.

A ‘sharp’ is an item that could cause cuts or puncture wounds. This includes needles, hypodermic needles, scalpels and other blades, knives, infusion sets, saws, broken glass, and nails.

Healthcare waste may include radioactive materials. This guidance does not cover managing these waste materials. You must comply with radioactive substances regulation guidance when managing radioactive materials.