Table 2 Waste types, descriptions and signage/colour17
From: Environmental sustainability and waste within the dental practice
Waste type (with usual associated colour) | Description | Disposal type |
|---|---|---|
Recycling (clear/blue)64 | All rigid plastics (including fruit trays), all cans, all paper and cardboard, Tetra Pak, glass. Excludes tissue paper, check plastic bags with your waste company* | Recycled |
Recycling (clear/blue)64 | All rigid plastics (including fruit trays), all cans, all paper and cardboard, Tetra Pak, glass. Excludes tissue paper, check plastic bags with your waste company* | Recycled |
Food waste/organic waste (brown) | Composted/anaerobic digestion | |
Landfill waste (black) | All non-clinical waste and waste that cannot be recycled including tissue paper, paper towels, coffee cups (plastic lining) and products contaminated with food | Landfill |
Hygiene waste (yellow with black stripe) | Sanitary protection, for example, nappies | Deep landfill or incineration |
Infectious waste contaminated with chemicals (yellow) | Any waste which consists wholly or partly of human or animal tissue, blood or other body fluids, excretions, drugs or other pharmaceutical products, swabs or dressings, syringes, needles or other sharp instruments12 | Alternative treatment or incineration65 |
Infectious waste not contaminated with chemicals (orange). | As above but additionally contaminated with chemicals | |
Medicinal waste for incineration (black) | Non-cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines including used and out-of-date stock | Local recommended method for disposing of pharmaceuticals and packaging |
Dental amalgam waste (white) | Waste consisting of amalgam in any form, including all other materials contaminated with amalgam12 | Metal recovery |
Plaster waste (no specific colour) | Gypsum or calcium sulphate study or working models65 | Gypsum recovery or landfill in a separate dedicated cell for gypsum56** |
X-ray fixer and developer (no specific colour) | Various recovery options56 |
