Waste management could be a complex web of laws, regulations, and rules for advisory purposes that can be a nightmare to become lost in, confused, or even entangled by.
Recently, we conducted a survey that revealed some unexpected findings. These included all of the respondents about their work in the types of industries that dealt with hazardous and offensive waste (Care hospitals, homes tattooists, dentists, and many more)
A significant portion was able to say that they were unaware of the distinction between hazardous waste and offensive waste. Of course, if your existence and standing are contingent on understanding the distinction between them, so as to eliminate your garbage with the appropriate rules, it’s essential to be aware.
Here’s a quick of the differences between hazardous waste and offensive waste:
What Exactly Is Offensive Waste?
Offensive Waste is any kind of waste that isn’t infectious, however, it could be offensive or cause offense to anyone who comes in close contact. One common misconception about the term “offensive waste” is since it’s not technically dangerous it can be disposed of in general waste so in the case of cautiousness.
It’s not the case. It’s essential to have an additional trash bin that is specifically for offensive waste. Offensive waste could include:
- Animal and human feces
- Incontinence pads, catheters and stoma carriers, nappies
- Nasal secretions, nasal waste, and sputum
- Condoms are also available. Urine, vomit, and human bedding that has been soiled
- Items from the medical/veterinary field that haven’t come in contact with blood or waste
- Plasters (minor self-care or first aid) created for personal use
What Exactly Is Hazardous Waste?
As opposed to waste that is offensive, Hazardous waste is any that poses an imminent threat to the public’s health or to the environment. On the 16th of July, the disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous garbage in the same landfill was declared illegal.
A list of the items that fall within hazardous waste is extremely long but the most frequent items that end in this bin are:
- Inks, paints, and pigments
- Solvents, pesticides, and other cleaning products
- Antifreeze, vehicle fluids, and brake cleaners. Oil, as well as brake fluids.
- Electronic waste like monitors for computers
Within the “Hazardous waste” area, there are several sub-categories to help separate similar types of wastes, like drugs that are cytotoxic or cytostatic Sharps, medical waste, and other waste.
Identifying Offensive Waste
Healthcare workers must be able to correctly identify the type of waste they have in their facilities. Sorting is determined by specific assessments. They will also be classified based on the location and how it is made and the time at which it is created and the kind of waste components it contains for example:
- Chemical properties
- Infectious properties
- Properties of medicinal herbs
Even if the waste doesn’t have any of these properties A certain procedure is required to determine whether the waste is actually a hygiene or offensive waste or something else altogether.
The Technical Health Memorandum provides a specific procedure to evaluate hygiene and offensive properties. It is in Chapter 4 Definitions of healthcare waste and classifications. As per the guidelines, offensive and hygiene wastes can be evaluated differently according to their origin.
Offensive Waste Disposal For Non-Clinical Waste
The official website of the government defines offensive waste collection as non-clinical waste which isn’t infected and doesn’t include chemical or pharmaceutical substances.
However, it may cause discomfort to anybody who comes in close contact. Offensive waste is further classified into two kinds that are healthcare offensive waste or municipal waste that is offensive to the public.
Examples of offensive waste from healthcare are protective outer dressings, clothes like gloves, masks, or gowns (as they’re not affected by body fluids), and the sterilization of laboratory waste. This kind of waste is typically created in medical clinics as well as vet surgeries.
How To Deal With Offensive Waste Properly
There are strict guidelines regarding how offensive waste should be kept, and labeled as well as how it is collected and handled. It is essential for this kind of waste to be properly separated, but also store so that it can stand apart from other wastes and is easily identifiable.
Waste disposal bags that are offensive are also referred to as tiger-stripe bags due to their vivid yellow opaque coloring and horizontal black stripes. Apart from being distinctively color bags for disposal of trash that is considered offensive should be of top quality to be in compliance with government rules.
Although offensive waste disposal can be removed using infectious waste, it is expensive, and so the process of the separation of it can yield significant savings. Utilizing tiger stripe bags allow for the disposal of offensive waste in a legal and safe manner without the cost associated with the disposal of waste that is infectious.
Offensive Waste Management
Since offensive waste has a low risk to health, it does not need to be shipped as hazardous products. So the disposal and collection costs are significantly less compared to the cost of clinical garbage or any other dangerous waste products.
Effective Waste Separation
While the law provides a requirement to separate the waste from clinical, clinical waste is often found to comprise offensive garbage.
The problem is that the material is not able to be included in clinical waste. If the offensive and clinical wastes are properly separated, there can be savings to be achieved. There could be savings if clinical waste management and offensive wastes are separated effectively.
Based On Research Conducted In Waste Management World –
Assessing the Cost of Medical Waste Disposal it estimates that 40 percent of all clinical waste that hospitals dispose of can be classified as other waste streams.
This is a great chance to save money considering that the cost of treating and disposing of medical waste is more costly than disposal of clinical waste. It is possible to save hospitals hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Offensive Waste Disposal Processes
There are a variety of alternatives for the disposal of waste that is based on the origin and type that the trash is disposed of.
If you’re a large or small business employing a specialist waste removal service will simplify your work and offer a myriad of benefits. We will look at a few advantages of professional waste collection and disposal.
* Hire Your Waste Management Company To Handle The Dirty Work For You; It Will Save You Time And Money!
Time is of the essence when you’re running a profitable company, dealing with wasteful things can take up lots of resources, time, and cash.
If you hire a skilled waste management service you can save time, and money, (and frequently, money) by focusing on your business while letting the experts in a waste management deal with your waste discretely and effectively.
* Safety And Health Are Essential In The Workplace. Ensure Your Employees Are Safe And You’re Protected.
It is your obligation to ensure that your team is safe and that they can work. You can ensure the safety and health of your employees by hiring a waste management specialist who will make sure that your toxic or hazardous wastes are properly eliminated regularly, reducing the risk of health concerns.
* You’re Reducing The Carbon Footprint And Making A Massive Impact On How Our World Will Develop.
When you select an environmentally-friendly company for waste management, you can be sure that all waste that is able to be reused or recycle or reuse.
When your company begins cooperating with a trusted waste management company, you can anticipate the profits and efficiency of your business to grow significantly because sustainability is of high value and you will feel proud to be eco-mindful.
