Good practice guide to handling veterinary waste
This is a practical guide to assist the veterinary profession to comply with waste regulations in England and Wales.
This web advice complements the BVA Good practice guide to handling veterinary waste poster and summary advice which has been distributed to BVA members in England and Wales.
We expect this advice to develop over time. Further information on waste is also available from the Environment Agency which supports this guide.
The BVA encourages members to discuss this information with their waste contractor.
Key veterinary waste streams
A typical veterinary practice may produce a wide range of waste. We outline key veterinary waste streams, including an explanation of each stream, what waste containers should be used, what can be placed in these containers, how waste should be classified and described and advice on waste disposal.
This guide sets out the requirements for hazardous waste such as
- cytotoxic and cytostatic pharmaceuticals
- photographic chemicals
- contaminated sharps
- infectious waste
It also sets out requirements for non-hazardous waste such as
In addition, this guide briefly examines
Duty of care
All businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure their waste is
- correctly segregated
- stored safely and securely on premises
- packaged appropriately for transport
- described accurately and fully on the accompanying documentation when removed
- transferred to an authorised person for transport to an authorised waste site
- appropriately registered, with necessary records and returns in place
The legal responsibility for waste does not end when waste is collected. If an omission by the waste producer (veterinary practice) contributes to mismanagement of the waste by another party, then the producer may be held responsible. It is therefore essential that members discharge their ‘Duty of Care’ - see the ‘Duty of Care’ checklist.