Waste Disposal and Control

There are nine classifications of waste, each presenting a slightly different disposal
requirement

Classifications are as follows:

Type 0 - Trash: Primarily paper. After incineration there is less than 5% residual solid
remaining

Type 1 - Rubbish: 80% type 0, 20% restaurant waste, 10% is incombustible. This term includes
all nonputrescible refuse except ashes. There are two categories of rubbish;

Combustible: This material is primarily inorganic - it includes items such as paper, plastics,
cardboard, wood, rubber and bedding

Noncombustible: This material is primarily inorganic and includes tin cans, metals, glass,
ceramics and other mineral refuse.

Type 2 - Refuse: 50 % type 0, 50 % type 1. Has a residual moisture content of 50 %. Requires

firing at a higher heat. Leaves 10 % solids after firing.

Type 3 - Garbage: All food waste. 70 % water. Designates putrescible wastes resulting from
handling, preparing, cooking and serving food.

Type 4 - Residue: Includes all solid wastes. In practice this category includes garbage, rubbish,
ashes and dead animals.

Type 5 - Ashes: Residue from fires used for cooking, heating and on-site incineration.

Type 6 - Biologic wastes: (includes human and animal remains).Wastes resulting directly from
patient diagnosis and treatment procedures; includes materials of medical, surgical, autopsy
and laboratory origin.

Medical wastes: These wastes are usually produced in patient rooms, treatment rooms and
nursing stations. The operating room may also be a contributor. Items include soiled
dressings, bandages, catheters, swabs, plaster casts, receptacles and masks

Surgical and autopsy wastes (pathologic wastes): These wastes may be produced in surgical
suites or autopsy rooms. Items that may be included are placentas, tissues and organs,
amputated limbs and similar material

o
Laboratory wastes: These wastes are produced in diagnostic or research laboratories. Items
that may be included are cultures, spinal fluid samples, dead animals and animal bedding.
85% of this type of waste is released to morticians for incineration

Type 7 - Liquid by-product wastes: Usually toxic and hazardous. Must be treated with
germicidal/disinfectant prior to disposal in sanitary sewers

Type 8 - Solid by-product wastes: Toxic, hazardous; capable of being sterilised, packaged and
discarded with normal trash

Any of the preceding categories can produce infectious waste. It is the method of
handling, that allows for safe disposal
Each environmental service center will develop its own procedures for disposal of all
types of waste