GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, SOLAPUR

MAHARASHTRA BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, MUMBAI

A MICRO-PROJECT REPORT ON

BIO-MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

Submitted by -
Name : Gulhane Divya Kiran
Roll No. : 24
Enrolment No. : 1915710040

In Partial Fulfilment of the Sixth Semester

Of

Diploma in Engineering and Technology

In

CIVIL ENGINEERING (MINORITY)

In

Solid Waste Management

Academic Year 2021-2022

Under the guidance of

Prof. Dafedar A. B.

Page 1 of 22
 CERTIFICATE
MAHARSHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION,

MUMBAI

GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, SOLAPUR

BIO-MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

This is to certify that the following student

Name : Gulhane Divya Kiran

Roll No. : 24
Enrolment No. : 1915710040

of sixth semester of diploma in Civil Engineering (Minority) of

institute Government Polytechnic, Solapur (code:1571) have completed the
micro-project work satisfactorily under my supervision guidance in Solid
Waste Management (22605) the academic year 2021-2022 as prescribed in the
I-Scheme curriculum.

Guide H.O.D Principal

Page 2 of 22
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the accomplishment of completion of my project on Bio-medical waste

management used in Civil Engineering I would like to convey my special
gratitude to Prof. A. B. Dafedar, of Civil Shift department for his enthusiasm,
patience, insightful comments, helpful information and practical advice I am
able to successfully complete the micro-project within time limit. His valuable
guidance and suggestions helped me in various phases of the completion of this
project.

I would also like to thank the principal, himself has been source of
motivation and encouragement.

Last but not least, I would like to express our gratitude to our friends and
respondents for support and willingness to spend some time with me.

Thank you!

Page 3 of 22
 Annexure – I
BIO-MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
1.0 Brief Introduction
Biomedical waste also known as infectious waste or medical waste is the
solid, we generated during diagnosis, testing, treatment, research or
production of biological products for humans or animals. Biomedical waste is
both hazardous and infectious. Biomedical waste is found in either liquid
form such as blood and body fluids are in solid state such as sharps like
needles, used syringes, broken ampules and packaging used bandages and
human body tissue, etc. Biomedical waste management is important to protect
the environment and health of the population. Improper management of ways
generated in health care facilities can cause health hazards on society, health
care workers and the environment. Biomedical waste management is of great
importance to reduce the serious health implications. This article deals with
the basic issues of biomedical waste disposal and management of biomedical
waste. 

2.0 Aim of the Micro-Project

This Micro-Project aims at:
1. To identify different sources of solid waste.
2. To execute the relevant method for collection and transportation of solid
waste.
3. To execute an action plan for disposal of solid waste.
4. To implement the relevant method for disposal of biomedical wastes.
3.0 Action Plan

Sr. Planned Start Planned Finish

Details of Activity
No. Date Date
Discussion of topics and finalizing
1. 21/02/2022 28/02/2022
one
2. Submitting project proposal 28/02/2022 07/03/2022
Gathering Information from
3. 07/03/2022 21/03/2022
resources
Discussion with guide regarding the
4. 21/03/2022 28/03/2022
information collected
Page 4 of 22
 Collecting forms relating to the
5. 28/03/2022 04/04/2022
project
6. Preparing rough report 04/04/2022 11/04/2022
7. Preparing Final project report 11/04/2022 18/04/2022
8. Preparation of Presentation PPT 18/04/2022 25/04/2022
9. Final submission 25/04/2022 02/05/2022

4.0 Resources Required

Name of
Sr.
Resource/ Specifications Qty Remarks
No.
material
1. Types of Biomedical Waste
Disposal (met-bio.com)
2. https://
www.thesheetalgroup.com/blog/
importance-of-biomedical-waste-
1. Websites 3 Blogs
management-know-with-sheetal-
group
3. https://
www.thesheetalgroup.com/
biomedical-waste-bins

Solid Waste
2. Nirali Publication 1 Book
Management

For typing
and
Lenovo –
3. Laptop 1 preparation
Windows 7, intel i5 processor
of
presentation

4.

Page 5 of 22
 Annexure – II
BIO MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
1.0 Rationale
Industrialization and urbanization is increasing day by day then. As a result of
this the generation of solid waste is a major problem all over the country
within the urban as well as ruler area and it is increasing day by day. In view
of this the management of solid waste produced is of prime need to keep the
environment safe and clean. Biomedical waste has various dangerous effects
on humans, animals, air, groundwater, radioactive elements, etc. Thus, there is
an overview with the concept of management of biomedical waste. This will
lead to keeping the natural resources condemnation free.
2.0 Course Outcomes Addressed
1. To identify different sources of solid waste.
2. To execute the relevant method for collection and transportation of solid
waste.
3. To execute an action plan for disposal of solid waste.
4. To implement the relevant method for disposal of biomedical wastes.
.

3.0 Literature Review

Biomedical waste poses a threat to the surroundings. Biomedical waste is
classified on the basis of sources and materials used. Safe disposal of
biomedical waste is a legal requirement in India. For proper management of
biomedical waste, before treatment, biomedical waste is segregated and sent for
appropriate disposal method. In this report I have collected information
regarding collection, segregation, transportation, storing, treating and disposing
of the biomedical waste. I have also discussed the classification of biomedical
ways the harmful effects of biomedical waste. This report also covers the
sources of generation of biomedical waste and method of executing the disposal
of the given type of biomedical waste. This report also covers the biomedical
waste management rules 2016 key features and its amendments in 2018.
References used for the project report are:
1) Book:
Solid Waste Management : Nirali Publication
2) Websites:
1. Types of Biomedical Waste Disposal (met-bio.com)
2. https://www.thesheetalgroup.com/blog/importance-of-biomedical-waste-
management-know-with-sheetal-group
3. https://www.thesheetalgroup.com/biomedical-waste-bins
4.0 Actual Methodology Followed

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 1. Topic was chosen by Divya Gulhane.
2. Annexure I i.e., Project proposal was prepared by Divya Gulhane.
3. Information relating to biomedical waste management was collected.
4. Rough report was prepared.
5. Final Report was prepared.
6. Presentation was prepared.
7. Final Submission was done.
5.0 Actual resources Used

Name of
Sr.
Resource/ Specifications Qty Remarks
No.
material
1. Types of Biomedical Waste
Disposal (met-bio.com)
2. https://
www.thesheetalgroup.com/blog/
importance-of-biomedical-waste-
1. Websites 3 Blogs
management-know-with-sheetal-
group
3. https://
www.thesheetalgroup.com/
biomedical-waste-bins
Solid Waste
2. Nirali Publication 1 Book
Management
For typing
and
Lenovo –
3. Laptop 1 preparation
Windows 7, intel i5 processor
of
presentation

6.0 Outputs of the Micro-project

We have learned in depth regarding biomedical waste which includes sources
of generation of biomedical waste classification objectives of biomedical waste
management and provisions in law regarding biomedical waste management
and biomedical wished management technologies.
7.0 Skills Developed from this Micro-project
Planning, monitoring, subject matter expertise, collaboration, time
management, organization, adaptability are the skills developed in this micro-
project.
8.0 Benefits of the Micro-project
We got knowledge regarding biomedical waste management in depth.
9.0 Area of future improvement

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Need to concentrate on time management, organization, communication in
regards to complete project.

Page 8 of 22
 INDEX

Sr. No. Contents Page No.

1. Overview to biomedical waste 9

2. Definition of biomedical waste 10

3. Sources of generation of biomedical waste 11

4. Classification of biomedical waste 11

5. Objectives of biomedical waste management 12

6. Effects of biomedical waste 13

Provisions in the law regarding biomedical waste 13
7.
management
8. Biomedical waste management technologies/ processes 14

8.1. Waste collection and segregation 16

8.2. Transportation and storage 17

8.3. Disposal of biomedical waste pre-treatment 18

8.4. Final disposal 18

8.5. Awareness and education 20

9. Conclusion 21

10. References 21

Page 9 of 22
1. OVERVIEW TO BIOMEDICAL WASTE
Biomedical waste is that waste which is of medical or medical laboratory origin (e.g.,
packaging, unused bandages, infusion kits etc.), as well research laboratory waste containing
biomolecules or organisms that are restricted to be released to environment.
Discarded needles are also considered as biomedical waste whether they are contaminated or
not, due to the possibility of being contaminated with blood and their ability to cause injury
when not properly enclosed and disposed off.

 Medical care is vital for our life, health and wellbeing. But the waste generated from
medical activities can be hazardous, toxic and even lethal because of their high potential
for diseases transmission.
 The hazardous and toxic parts of waste from health care establishments comprising
infectious, bio-medical and radio-active material as well as sharps (hypodermic needles,
knives, scalpels etc.) pose a grave risk, if these are not properly treated/disposed or are
allowed to get mixed with other municipal waste.
 Its tendency to encourage growth of various pathogen and vectors and its ability to
contaminate other non-hazardous/non-toxic municipal waste threatens the efforts
undertaken for overall municipal waste management.
 The rag pickers and waste workers are often worst affected, because unknowingly or
unwittingly, they dig through all kinds of poisonous material while trying to salvage
items which they can sell for reuse.
 At the same time, this kind of illegal and unethical reuse can be extremely dangerous and
even fatal. Diseases like cholera, plague, tuberculosis, hepatitis (especially HBV), AIDS
(HIV), diphtheria etc. in either epidemic or even endemic form, pose grave public health
risks.
 The rules framed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of
India, known as ‘Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998,’ notified
on 20th July 1998, provides uniform guidelines and code of practice for the whole
nation. It is clearly mentioned in this rule that the ‘occupier’ (a person who has control
over the concerned institution/premises) of an institution generating bio-medical waste
(e.g., hospital, nursing home, clinic, dispensary, veterinary institution, animal house,
pathological laboratory, blood bank etc.) shall be responsible for taking necessary steps
to ensure that such waste is handled without any adverse effect to human health and the
environment.

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2. DEFINITION OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE
The waste generated by hospitals, nursing or maternity homes, clinics, dispensary, veterinary
institutions, pathological laboratory, blood banks which is potentially infectious to human
health and the environment is called as Biomedical waste.
Biomedical waste means any solid and/or liquid waste including its container and any
intermediate product, which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunisation of
human beings or animals or in research or in the production or testing.
Components of Biomedical Waste:
 Human anatomical waste (tissues, organs, body parts etc.).
 Animal waste (as above, generated during research/experimentation, from veterinary
hospitals etc.)
 Microbiology and biotechnology waste, such as, laboratory cultures, micro-organisms,
human and animal cell cultures, toxins etc.
 Waste sharps, such as, hypodermic needles, syringes, scalpels, broken glass etc.
 Discarded medicines and cyto-toxic drugs.
 Infectious waste like soiled waste, such as dressing and bandages, plaster casts,
pathological tissues, material contaminated with blood etc.
 Solid waste or plastic waste (disposable items like IV sets, tubes, catheters, blood bags,
syringes etc. excluding sharps).
 Sharps means needles, broken glass, blades, razors etc.
 Liquid waste generated from any of the infected areas.
 Incineration ash.
 Chemical waste.
 Cytotoxic waste
 Radioactive waste etc.

Classification of biomedical waste:

Biomedical waste
Non-hazardous (75-90%) Hazardous (10-25%)
Infectious(15-18%) Other hazardous (5-7%)
Non-sharps Radioactive waste
Sharps Discarded glass
Plastic disposables Pressurized containers
Liquid wastes Chemical waste
Cytotoxic waste
Incinerator ash

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3. SOURCES OF GENERATION OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE

Biomedical waste is generated from biological and medical sources and activities, such as the
diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases and medical research centres.
Common generators (or sources) of biomedical waste include:

Hospitals Health Clinics Nursing Homes

Medical Research Offices of

physicians, dentists Pharmacies
laboratories
and veterinarians

Blood banks Funeral homes Veterinary homes

4. CLASSIFICATION OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE

Option Waste category Treatment and disposal
Category No. 1 Human Anatomical Waste Incineration@/deep burial*
(Human tissues, organs, body parts)
Category No. 2 Animal Waste Incineration@/deep burial*
(Animal tissues, organs, body parts
carcasses, bleeding parts, fluid, blood and
experimental animals used in research,
waste generated by veterinary hospitals,
colleges, discharge from hospitals, animal
houses)
Category No. 3 Microbiology and Biotechnology Waste Incineration@ Local
(Wastes from laboratory cultures, stocks autoclaving/micro-
or specimens of micro-organisms live or Waving
attenuated vaccines, human and animal
cell culture used in research and
infectious agents from research and
industrial laboratories, wastes from

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 production of biologicals, toxins)
Category No. 4 Waste sharps Disinfection (chemical
(Needles, syringes, scalpels, blades, glass treatment@01/auto
etc. that may cause puncture and cuts. claving/micro-waving and
This includes both used and unused mutilation/ shredding)
sharps)
Category No. 5 Discarded Medicines and Cytotoxic drugs Incineration@/destruct ion
(Wastes comprising of outdated, and drugs disposal in
contaminated and discarded secured landfills.
incineration@/destruct ion and
medicines)
Category No. 6 Solid Waste Incineration@
(Items contaminated with blood, and autoclaving/microwaving.
body fluids including cotton, dressings,
soiled plaster casts, lines, beddings, other
material contaminated with blood)
Category No. 7 Solid Waste Disinfection by chemical
(Wastes generated from disposable items treatment @@autoclaving/
other than the waste sharps such as microwaving and
tubings, catheters, intravenous sets etc). mutilation/ shredding##.
Category No. 8 Liquid Waste Disinfection by chemical
(Waste generated from laboratory and treatment @@and
washing, cleaning, house-keeping and discharge into drains.
disinfecting activities)
Category No. 9 Incineration Ash Disposal in municipal
(Ash from incineration of any bio- landfill.
medical waste)
Category No. Chemical Waste Chemical treatment@@
10 (Chemicals used in production of and discharge into drains
biologicals, chemicals used in for liquids and secured
disinfection, as insecticides etc.) landfill for solids.

5. OBJECTIVES OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

1. To avoid transmission of disease from patient to patient, from patient to health worker
and vice versa.
2. To avoid injury to the health care worker and workers in support services, while handling
biomedical waste.
3. To stop general exposure to the harmful effects of the cytotoxic, genotoxic and chemical
biomedical waste.
4. Define medical waste, regulated and medical waste and infectious waste.
5. Discuss the regulations applicable to medical waste.
6. Discuss the components of an infectious waste management plan.
7. Outline an exposure control plan.
8. Discuss steps to take if exposed to infectious waste.
9. Discuss the problem of mercury.
10. Discuss records to maintain.
11. Recommend inspection items.

Page 13 of 22
12. Discuss use of contractors.
6. EFFECTS OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE
Wildlife and Pharmaceuticals:
 Biomedical waste that is not disposed of properly can end up in lakes, parks and other
wildlife refuges where birds and fauna live.
 Wildlife is very curious about pharmaceuticals. It is thought, they are attracted to the scent
or colour of pills and liquid medicine. This curiosity results in digestion of medication,
which can injure or even kill the animal.
Groundwater Contamination:
 Much thought and effort has been taken to ensure landfills are built to protect the earth
around them. Most are built with a special lining so nearby soil and groundwater cannot
become contaminated.
 Mishandled biohazard waste can compromise even the best landfill design. Syringes and
other sharp objects can easily rip the lining. As rain falls, contaminants in the landfill can
seep out to the exterior soil, and the groundwater become toxic.
Radioactive Pollution:
 In order to accurately diagnose patients, doctors must sometimes use radioactive tools.
When disposed off improperly, radioactivity can enter landfills and other areas. These
substances emit particles that are dangerous to people. Excessive exposure to radioactivity
can result in serious diseases.
Airborne Pollutants:
 Certain medical waste can be destroyed by incineration. But, if not ignited properly,
pollutants can move through the air.
 Airborne pollutants can be worse than land-based types because they can spread far and
wide and quickly.

7. PROVISIONS IN THE LAW REGARDING BIOMEDICAL WASTE

MANAGEMENT
 Safe disposal of biomedical waste is now a legal requirement in India. The ministry of
Environment and Forests notified the Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling)
Rules, 1998 in July 1998.
 The rule also envisages that common facility or any other facilities can be used for waste
treatment. However, it is incumbent on the occupier to ensure that the waste is treated
within a period of 48 hours.
Biomedical waste management tools 2016 key features:
 The realm of the biomedical waste management rule has been extended to include
vaccination, blood donation or surgical camps as well as any other healthcare activity.
 Get rid of chlorinated bags, hand gloves and blood bags within a span of two years.
 The laboratory or microbiological waste, blood samples and bags should necessarily be
pre-treated through the process of disinfection as recommended by the World Health
Organisation or National Aids Control Organisation.
 Providing training and immunising all the health care workers is a must.
 Containers that carry biomedical waste disposal should follow a bar-code system.
 Any major accidents should be immediately and necessarily be reported. The incinerators
need to achieve the standards for retention time in the secondary chamber

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 For better segregation of biomedical waste, it needs to be classified into 4 categories
instead of 10 categories.
 Control and restriction of dioxin and furans emissions. 
 The State Government needs to arrange for land in order to set up common biomedical
waste treatment and facilities for waste disposal.
 No inhabitant should reside within the periphery of the on-site treatment waste and waste
disposal facility, at a minimum distance of seventy-five kilometres.
 Biomedical waste collection from the HCFs needs to be collected on time for the process
of biomedical waste treatment by the facility workers who deal with liquid and solid
waste disposal.
Amendments that were made in biomedical waste management rules in the year 2018:
 Biomedical waste originators such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, dispensaries, etc.
will have to abandon the use of chlorinated plastic bags and hand gloves by March 27,
2019.
 As per the Biomedical Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018, the annual report
of all healthcare facilities needs to be made available on the respective websites within
two years span from the date of publication of the rules.
 The guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board for barcoding and global
positioning system for handling biomedical waste should be strictly followed by March
27, 2019.
 Detailed district-wise information on biomedical waste generation, healthcare facilities
with captive treatment, common biomedical waste treatment and waste disposal facilities
should be sent out to the Central Pollution Control Board in a new form by the State
Pollution Boards or Pollution Control Committees.
 Workers who have administrative control over the institution and premises that generate
biomedical waste need to pre-treat the laboratory and microbiological wastes, as well as
blood samples and bags through on-site disinfection or sterilization as prescribed by the
World Health Organization and further, must be sent to the common biomedical waste
treatment facility for disposal of waste.
8. BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES/
PROCESSES
Handling, segregation, mutilation, disinfection, storage, transportation, final disposal and
public education are vital steps for safe and scientific management of BMW in any
establishment.

Methods of Collection and Segregation of Biomedical Waste: (S-15)

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Following are the various methods of collection and segregation of BWM in colour coded
bags or containers:
1. Yellow bags: All the infectious wastes are collected into these bags. It may include
soiled bandage, cotton or any other thing which is infected. The waste from these bags is
treated by incineration only.
2. Red bags: All the plastic wastes such as injections, syringes, I. V. tubing, Bottles are
collected into these bags. They are treated by incineration only.
3. Blue bags: It consists of all the types of glass bottles and broken glass articles. It is
classified as hazardous waste and treated by incineration only.
4. Black carboy: All sharps of metal are collected into these bags like blades, needles
without syringes etc.
5. Purple container: It consists of cytotoxic and cytostatic wastes, clinical waste. It is
hazardous waste and has to be treated by incineration only.
6. Yellow and Black containers: It consists of offensive but hygiene waste from health
centres. It is non-hazardous and can be treated by incineration, landfill.
7. Black containers: It consists of domestic waste mixed with municipal waste which is
classified as non-hazardous waste.
8. White containers or bags: It consists of dental amalgam and mercury such as spent and
expired capsules.

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8.1 WASTE COLLECTION AND SEGREGATION
Waste should be collected and segregated at the site generation itself. Its aim is to keep the
harmful waste separate from the harmless and non-contagious waste. The key to
minimization and effective management of biomedical waste is segregation and identification
of the waste. The most appropriate way of identifying the categories of biomedical waste is
by sorting the waste into colour coded plastic bags or containers in accordance with schedule
II of Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules.

Colour coding Type of container Waste category Treatment option

Yellow Plastic bag Cat. 1,2,3,6 Incineration deep burial
Disinfected Autoclave/ microwave/
Red Cat. 3,6,7
container/plastic bag chemical treatment
Autoclave/ microwave/
Blue/ white Plastic bag/ puncture
Cat. 4,7 chemical treatment and
translucent proof
destruction shredding
Black Plastic bag Cat. 5,9,10 Disposal in secure land

Procedure for Waste Collection:

 Specifically coloured plastic bag should be kept in its container. Bins and bags should
bear the biohazard symbol.
 As soon as three fourth of the bag is full of waste it should be removed from the
container, tied tight with a plastic string and properly labelled.
 Under no circumstances, an infectious waste should be mixed with the non-infectious
waste.
 Collection of disposable items (syringes, I/V bottles, catheters, rubber gloves etc.) should
be undertaken when they have been mutilated (cut) chemically disinfected (by dipping in
1% hypochlorite solution for 30 min.)

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 Syringe barrel should always be separated from the plunger before disinfection. Needles
should be destroyed with needle destroyer. Manual mutilation of sharps should never be
tried as it may cause injury. All other sharps must be strongly disinfected (chemically)
before they are shredded or finally disposed. Sharps should be kept in puncture proof
containers and properly labelled.
 Biomedical waste handlers should be trained in handling the waste and made aware of
proper way of handling waste to avoid injury and accidents.

8.2 TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE

The waste may be temporarily stored at the central storage area of the hospital and from there
it may be sent in bulk to the site of final disposal once or twice a day depending upon the
quantum of waste.
During transportation, following points should be taken care of:
• Ensure that waste bags/containers are properly sealed and labelled.
• Bags are picked up from the neck and placed so that bags can be picked up by the neck
again for further handling. Hand should not be put under the bag. At a time only one bag
should be lifted.
• Manual handling of waste bags should be minimized to reduce the risk of needle prick
injury and infection.
• Biomedical waste should be kept only in a specified storage area.
• After removal of the bag, clean the container including the lid with an appropriate
disinfectant.
• Waste bags and containers should be removed daily from wards/OPDs or even more
frequently if needed (as in Operation Theatres, ICUs, labour rooms). Waste
bags/containers should be transported in a covered wheeled containers or large bins in
covered trolleys.
• Biomedical waste storage area should be separate from the general waste storage area.

CENTRAL STORAGE

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• The central storage area in a hospital should be ideally situated on the ground floor near
the rear entrance. This makes the transportation of waste to the site of final disposal
easier.
• The central storage area should have sufficient storage capacity to store the required
number of waste bags, depending upon the quantum of waste generated in the hospital. It
should have the storage capacity of at least 2 days’ waste.
• It should have good flooring, light, ventilation, water supply and drainage system.
• A full-time storekeeper should be there to receive and dispatch the waste and to maintain
proper record.
• As per rules biomedical waste cannot be stored for more than 24 to 48 hrs. (Refrigerated
storage room should be available where wastes have to be stored in bulk for over 48 hrs.)

TRANSPORT TO FINAL DISPOSAL SITE

Transportation from health care establishment to the site of final disposal in a closed motor
vehicle (truck, tractor-trolley etc.) is desirable as it prevents spillage of waste on the way.
Vehicles used for transport of biomedical waste must have the “Bio-Hazard” symbol and
these vehicles should not be used for any other purpose.
8.3 DISPOSAL OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE PRE-TREATMENT
The infected waste that cannot be incinerated (e.g., Plastic and rubber items, sharps) has to be
disinfected first, before it is sent for final disposal.

8.4 FINAL DISPOSAL

Incineration is a high temperature dry oxidation process, which reduces organic and
combustible waste to inorganic incombustible matter. This method is usually used for the
waste that cannot be reused, recycled or disposed off in landfill site.
Waste Types not to be Incinerated:
Waste types not to be incinerated are:
 Pressurized gas containers.
 Large amount of reactive chemical wastes.

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 Silver salts and photographic or radiographic wastes.

 Halogenated plastics such as PVC.

 Waste with high mercury or cadmium content such as broken thermometers, used
batteries.
 Sealed ampoules or ampoules containing heavy metals.

DISPOSAL METHODS OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE

1. Incineration: Incineration is typically used for pathological and pharmaceutical waste.
Incineration of medical waste should be performed in a controlled facility to ensure
complete combustion and minimize any negative effects for the environment. There are
three types of incinerators – single chamber furnaces, double chamber pyrolytic
incinerators, and rotary kilns. They are eco-friendly, cost-effective and easy to construct.
Also, these incinerators are suitable for healthcare centres and hospitals in rural areas too.
2. Land Disposal: Land disposal is typically used for shredded, treated and decontaminated
waste. In certain cases, it can also be used for hazardous waste or other untreated waste
that cannot be decontaminated by other means. Specialized sanitary landfill sites exist to
reduce the risk of soil and water contamination and provide a safe space for medical waste
disposal.
3. Deep Burial: A pit or trench is excavated about 2 m deep. It is half filled with waste, and
then covered with lime within 50 cm of the surface, then filling the remaining portion with
soil. Cover is provided at top with lock facility.
4. Autoclaving: Thermal treatment is typically used for sharp and certain other types of
infectious waste. An autoclave is like a large pressure cooker that uses high temperatures
and steam to deeply penetrate all materials and kill any microorganisms. Depending on the

Page 20 of 22
 type and amount of waste one should need to sterilize. Modern autoclaves are also
automated to minimize human involvement and therefore reduce needle-stick injuries and
contamination.
5. Chemical Treatment: Often used to deactivate liquid waste, chemical treatment is
designed to decontaminate or deactivate certain wastes on site rather than packaging and
sending them to a separate facility. Chemical treatment can also be applied to some non-
liquid infectious wastes, but they would typically need to be shredded first to ensure that
all portions of the waste are exposed to the chemicals. Depending on the type of waste,
chemicals like chlorine, sodium hydroxide or calcium oxide can be used. Chemical
treatment has to be executed carefully and by knowledgeable staff.
6. Microwave Treatment: A microwave treatment system, similar to an autoclave, also uses
heat to decontaminate medical waste. These systems work best for waste that is not 100%
dry or solid, as the moisture allows the heat to penetrate deeper, and the steam sterilizes.

8.5 AWARENESS AND EDUCATION

In India, hospitals and other health care establishments are not well equipped to handle the
enormous amount of biomedical waste. There is an urgent need to raise the awareness
amongst all concerned. Information can be circulated through organizing seminars,
workshops, practical demonstrations, group discussions, lectures etc.
It is vital to formulate an effective education and training programs specific for different
target groups involved in biomedical waste handling and management.

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9. CONCLUSION

 Biomedical waste also known as infectious waste or medical waste is the

solid, we generated during diagnosis, testing, treatment, research or
production of biological products for humans or animals.
 Biomedical waste is found in either liquid form such as blood and body fluids
are in solid state such as sharps like needles, used syringes, broken ampules
and packaging used bandages and human body tissue, etc.
 Biomedical waste management is important to protect the environment and
health of the population.
 Biomedical waste is collected by sorting the waste into colour coded plastic bags or
containers in accordance with schedule II of Biomedical Waste (Management and
Handling) Rules.
 Disposal of bio-medical waste is done in six types namely incineration, land
disposal, deep burial, autoclaving, chemical treatment and microwave
treatment.
 In hospitals and health care centres awareness and education regarding
biomedical waste management is done.

10. REFERENCES
The references for this micro project are as follows:

Book:

1. Solid Waste Management Nirali Publication

Websites:

1. Types of Biomedical Waste Disposal (met-bio.com)

2. https://www.thesheetalgroup.com/blog/importance-of-biomedical-waste-
management-know-with-sheetal-group
3. https://www.thesheetalgroup.com/biomedical-waste-bins

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