What is the risk?

Many different types of waste are generated in a vet clinic including:

• Cytotoxic waste (such as chemotherapy containers)
• Pharmaceutical waste (such unused medications)
• General waste (such as kitchen rubbish)
• Radioactive waste (from radiation treatments)
• Clinical waste, which we will discuss here

Clinical waste is classified as any waste which could cause disease, injury or offence to the public.

Veterinary examples include:

• Bodies
• Anatomical waste
• ANY items with blood (such as used surgical swabs)
• ANY items that are potentially infectious (such as lab specimens)
• Sharps (see separate SHARPS policy)

The following are generally not considered medical waste unless they contain blood or are potentially infectious:

• Nappies or incontinence pads (such as ‘puppy pads’)
• Bodily waste such as vomit, urine or faeces