Medical and veterinary waste – a dictionary of terms

The main aspect of EMKA’s activity is the provision of services in the field of neutralization of medical and veterinary waste , including hazardous waste and infectious waste . Having the appropriate logistics facilities, we deal with transport of veterinary and medical waste throughout the country.

Below we explain to you the most important concepts in the field of medical waste management . Thanks to the reading of our dictionary you will learn what we should consider as medical waste and veterinary waste and which waste is classified as hazardous waste or infectious waste .

Hazardous, infectious waste – basic concepts:

Hazardous waste – hazardous waste, due to its type, composition or quantity, has hazardous properties and, if not handled properly, may pose a threat to human and animal health and the environment. The types of hazardous waste are listed in the appendix to the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of September 27, 2001 on the waste catalog (Journal of Laws No. 112 item 1206).

Medical waste – waste generated in connection with the provision of health services and the conduct of research and scientific experiments in the field of medicine.

Infectious waste – both medical and veterinary waste may have infectious properties (H9 according to the Waste Act) – these are waste containing live microorganisms or their toxins, which are known or for which there are reliable grounds for acceptance that they cause disease in humans or other living organisms.

Veterinary waste – waste generated in connection with the examination, treatment of animals or the provision of veterinary services, as well as in connection with the conduct of scientific research and experiments on animals.

Waste producer – in accordance with the Waste Act, waste producer – means anyone whose activity or existence causes waste generation. The Act of 14 December 2012 on waste (Journal of Laws of 2013, item 21), therefore, a practitioner, owner of a clinic, veterinary office, beautician produces medical waste, including hazardous waste.

Waste holder  – anyone who actually owns the waste (waste producer, other natural person, legal entity or organizational unit); with the exception of those operating in the field of waste transportation; it is presumed that the ruler of the earth’s surface is the owner of waste on the property & nbsp; in accordance with the Waste Act of December 14, 2012

Collection of waste – this is understood as any action, in particular placing in containers, segregating and storing waste, which is aimed at preparing their transport to recovery or disposal sites (in accordance with the Act on waste of December 14, 2012).

Waste storage – is the temporary storage or collection of waste prior to its transportation, recovery or disposal.