Healthcare waste

Healthcare waste (HCW) is a by-product of healthcare. 10-25 % of healthcare waste is regarded as hazardous and may create a variety of risks both to human health and the environment.

Healthcare risk waste (HCRW) is usually classified into the following waste groups:

Waste category
 
Infectious waste
 
Pathological waste
 
Sharps
 
Pharmaceutical waste
 
Genotoxic waste
 
Chemical waste
 
Wastes with high content of heavy metals
 
Pressurized containers
 
Radioactive waste

Sources and more information:

WHO: Healthcare waste management