Waste Disposal Protocol

Waste Disposal Protocol

 

HAUS OF ÄSTHETIK

Safe (Preventing Harm & Protecting Patients)

Effective Date: 12th May 2025

Review Date: 12th May 2026

Approved by: Managing Director

 

1. Purpose

This protocol outlines the safe, legal, and effective segregation, handling, storage, and disposal of waste generated at Haus of Ästhetik. It ensures compliance with environmental legislation, protects staff and patients from health risks, and meets the expectations of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

 

2. Scope

This protocol applies to:

  • All clinical and non-clinical staff, including freelance practitioners

  • All waste generated within the clinic, including clinical, sharps, and domestic waste

  • Third-party contractors handling or disposing of waste (e.g. licenced waste carriers)

 

3. Key Waste Categories & Colour Codes

Waste Type

Examples

Colour Bag/Container

Disposal Route

Clinical Waste (Infectious)

Used PPE, dressings, contaminated wipes

Orange/yellow bag

Collected by licensed clinical waste contractor

Sharps (including needles)

Needles, syringes, PRP tubes, cannulas

Yellow-lid sharps bin

Sharpsmart container, incineration

Pharmaceutical Waste

Expired POMs, returned meds

Blue-lid bin or purple (cytotoxic)

Licenced pharmaceutical disposal

Non-infectious Domestic Waste

Packaging, tissues, paper towels

Black bin bag

Standard commercial/domestic collection

Confidential Waste

Patient notes, identifiable info

Locked confidential bin/shredder

Confidential shredding service

 

4. Procedures

4.1 General Waste Handling

  • Black bags are used for all general non-contaminated waste (e.g., packaging, tissues, empty boxes).

  • General waste is removed daily and stored securely until external collection.

4.2 Clinical Waste Disposal

  • Orange or yellow bags are used for infectious or potentially infectious waste.

  • Bags must be no more than ¾ full, securely tied with a tag or label, and placed in a designated clinical waste binwith a foot-pedal lid.

  • Stored in a locked clinical waste area until collected by the licenced contractor.

  • Collection is conducted weekly or more frequently, as needed.

4.3 Sharps Disposal (Sharpsmart Bins)

  • All sharps (needles, syringes, glass ampoules, PRP tubes) must be disposed of immediately after use in yellow-lid Sharpsmart containers.

    • Be labelled with the date and location

    • Be replaced when ¾ full

    • Never be overfilled, reused, or decanted

      Sharps bins must:

       

  • Sharps bins are collected and incinerated via a licenced contractor (e.g., Sharpsmart UK).

4.4 Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal

  • Expired or returned medications are disposed of via sealed pharmaceutical bins (blue lid).

  • Controlled drugs (CDs) are not stored or used within the clinic.

  • Prescribed medications collected by patients are logged and dispatched via regulated pharmacy partners (e.g., Acre Pharmacy, Church Pharmacy, Roseway Pharmacy).

 

5. Storage of Waste On-Site

  • Clinical and pharmaceutical waste is stored in lockable, clearly marked bins away from public or patient access.

  • Waste collection is arranged by a licensed waste carrier in compliance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  • Collection records are logged and retained for 3 years.

 

6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Waste Handling

Staff handling waste must wear:

  • Disposable gloves

  • Disposable aprons

  • Additional PPE (e.g., eye protection) for spill response

Hand hygiene must be performed after every waste-handling activity.

 

7. Staff Training & Responsibilities

  • All staff are trained in waste segregation, handling, and disposal procedures during induction.

  • Clinical staff receive additional training on sharps and clinical waste management.

  • The Infection Prevention Lead oversees compliance, training, and contractor liaison.

  • Waste handling non-compliance is recorded and may result in retraining or escalation under the Incident Reporting Policy.

 

8. Record-Keeping & Compliance

  • Waste transfer notes and licensed carrier agreements are maintained in the governance file.

  • Internal audits of waste disposal processes are conducted quarterly.

  • External contractor compliance (waste licences, insurance, route audits) is reviewed annually.

  • Non-conformities are logged and actioned via the Governance & Compliance Audit Tracker.

 

9. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed:

  • Annually

  • Following updates to HTM 07-01, UKHSA, or CQC guidance

  • After any serious waste-related incident or non-compliance

 

Policy Owner: Clinical Governance Lead

Approved by: Managing Director

Next Review: 12th May 2026