Biomedical waste is a major concern for every healthcare setting since it degrades a place’s beauty and is highly infectious to human life and the environment. Biomedical waste management is a crucial step in the proper disposal of biomedical waste.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the types of biomedical waste, the use of coloured bins, treatment processes for the waste, and the steps involved in its disposal. 

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What is Biomedical Waste?

“Biomedical Waste means any waste which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment (or) immunisation of human beings (or) animals or in research activities pertaining thereto or in the production (or) testing of biologicals or in health camps.” – Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Practically speaking, all hospital or healthcare wastes are biomedical waste.

In 2023, about 743 tonnes of biomedical waste were generated daily, a significant rise from 705 tonnes daily in 2022. This rise is credited to the increase in healthcare facilities. As medical technology advances, so does biomedical waste generation.

What is meant by Biomedical Waste Management?

In simple words, biomedical waste management refers to the process of handling, treating, and disposing of waste from healthcare facilities. This is a vast process and involves multiple steps. 

The first step of biomedical waste management is to segregate biomedical waste into different categories, which we will discuss soon. Next, the segregated waste has to go through its respective treatment processes before it can be finally disposed of.

Steps Involved in Biomedical Waste Management

Biomedical waste management is a multi-step process. Each and every step in it has great significance. There are major 5 steps involved in the process. These include:

1. Waste generation: 

Healthcare facilities can produce different types of biomedical waste, as mentioned in the upcoming topics in this article. 

2. Segregation:

Segregation of biomedical waste is one of the most crucial steps. This includes sorting the waste according to its type. Multicoloured bins come into play in this step. The entire waste has to be sorted accordingly before it leaves the facility.

3. Transportation: 

The waste is then prepared for transportation in secured and sealed packages. The handlers are also required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves. The waste is then transported by the concerned authority.

4. Treatment: 

This stage involves treating waste using multiple methods, depending on the type of waste. The treatment process renders the waste harmless so that it can be disposed of safely in the environment.

5. Disposal: 

Finally, the waste is transported to the disposal site and disposed of accordingly, helping to prevent catastrophic damage to the environment.

These steps are extremely crucial in order to maintain the safety of the environment and the biological life.

What are the Different Types of Biomedical Waste?

The biomedical waste generated at the facilities is then segregated and classified into various categories. According to the World Health Organization, biomedical waste has been classified into 8 different categories:

1. Infectious Waste: 

Waste that is confirmed or suspected to contain pathogens and has the potential to cause and transmit diseases. Examples include water contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids.

2. Pathological Waste: 

Includes human tissues, organs or fluids, body parts, foetuses, unused blood products, and contaminated animal carcasses.

3. Sharps Waste: 

This category includes used and unused sharp wastes like needles, scalpels, infusion sets, blades, etc.

4. Pharmaceutical and Cytotoxic Waste: 

This category includes expired medicines, items contaminated by or containing pharmaceuticals, cytotoxic drugs like those used in cancer therapy, and genotoxic drugs.

5. Chemical Waste: 

Solvents and reagents are used for laboratory preparations, disinfectants, sterilants, and heavy metals in medical devices, for example.

6. Radioactive Waste:

It can include products contaminated by radionuclides, like radioactive diagnostic material or radiotherapeutic materials.

7. General Waste: 

These are wastes that do not fall into any of the mentioned categories and do not possess any specific hazards.

These are the major categories of biomedical waste, according to the World Health Organization.

What is the Purpose of Using Different Coloured Bins for Biomedical Waste Management?

All healthcare facilities use different-coloured bins for the segregation of waste. Generally, there are 4 different colours of bins used in hospitals: red, yellow, blue, or white, translucent, and black.

The sole purpose of using multicoloured bags for disposal is to make the disposal of hazardous waste safe. Since this waste might be infectious as well, they need careful handling, so as to protect humans and the environment. The waste disposed of by different bags includes:

• Yellow bag: It is a plastic bag which is used for the following:
  • Human anatomical waste
  • Animal waste
  • Microbiology and Biotechnological waste
  • Soiled waste

• Red bag: It is a disinfected container or a special plastic bag which is used to dispose of the following:
  • Microbiology and Biotechnological waste
  • Soiled waste
  • Solid waste

The major difference between waste disposed of in a yellow and red bag is the material of the waste. The red bag contains infectious plastic waste, while the yellow bag contains infectious non-plastic waste.

• Blue/White Translucent bag: It is a plastic bag which is puncture-proof as well. It can hold waste like:
  • Sharpnels (Syringes, needles, scalpels, blades, glass, etc.)
  • Solid sharp wastes (I/V sets)

• Black bag: This bag is made up of plastic as well, which disposes of waste like
  • Discarded medicines and cytotoxic drugs
  • Incineration ash
  • General waste (Radioactive as well)

What is the Treatment Process for these Wastes?

Once the process of collection is completed, the waste is then sent for treatment. The treatment options vary according to the type of waste in question. There are a few options available for the treatment of the waste. These include:

• Incineration: 

It involves high-temperature burning of the waste to completely destroy the infectious material and prevent the pathogens from escaping into the environment. The end product is just ash, which can be easily disposed of.

• Autoclaving: 

It is facilitated inside an autoclave, which uses high-pressure steam to kill pathogens. Autoclaving is suitable for non-sharp waste.

• Chemical Disinfection: 

Special chemicals like sodium hypochlorite, ozone, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and dry inorganic chemicals are used to disinfect the waste. However, this is a water-intensive process and also requires neutralising agents.

• Irradiation:

The waste is exposed to ultraviolet or ionising rays to get rid of the pathogens.

• Biological Process: 

The waste is treated with biological enzymes to render it harmless. The enzymes destroy the organic constituents and kill the pathogens, leaving just the plastic, glass, and other non-biodegradable residues.

• Mechanical Process:

The waste is processed in machines. It has further two subtypes:

• Compacting: The waste is reduced in volume.
• Shredding: Used for plastics or papers so that they can’t be reused again

However, the waste would require chemical treatment before it can be shredded.

After treatment, waste is usually buried deep in the soil. Since it is no longer hazardous, it can be safely buried. Some wastes, like radioactive materials, are disposed of only in a secure landfill.

Depending on the type of bag, the treatment option is chosen

Colour Coding (Bag Colour)	Treatment Option
Yellow	Incineration/Deep burial
Red	Autoclaving/Microwaving/Chemical Treatment
Blue/White Translucent	Autoclaving/Microwaving/Chemical Treatment/Destruction/Shedding
Black	Disposed in Secured Landfills

FAQs about Biomedical Waste

1. How many types of biomedical waste are there?

Biomedical waste is further categorised into seven types: Infectious, Pathological, Sharp, Pharmaceutical, Radioactive, Chemical, and General.

2. What is e-waste?

E-waste refers to electronic waste and consists of discarded, recycled or refurbished electrical and electronic products.

3. Which bag is used for the disposal of e-waste?

The e-waste is disposed of in a black plastic bag to prevent the leaking of radiation.

4. How can we help in reducing waste medicines?

Once released from the labs, medicines can never be recycled. So, only order the medicines that you need. Check your inventory before ordering new medications.

5. Where is the waste segregated?

Waste must be segregated on-site at the place where it is generated. This reduces the chances of transmission of pathogens and ensures the safe handling of the waste.

Conclusion

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