Séamus Hughes
Ceist:57 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health the recommended method for the disposal of hospital waste produced in the State; and the steps, if any, he has taken to implement this method. [6993/95]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waste Disposal.
Limerick East): My Department has proposed to the health agencies a strategy for the disposal of hospital waste, involving segregating the waste and using the most appropriate disposal route for each type of waste. The first segregation is into domestic or municipal type waste and healthcare risk waste. The former, accounting for up to 80 per cent of the waste, should follow the municipal waste disposal route, i.e. to a local authority landfill.
The healthcare risk waste is that which requires special treatment and its major components are infectious waste and sharps. The strategy recommends that these should be shredded and disinfected by means of chemicals, steam, microwave or dry heat and then disposed of to landfill.
A pilot project, using one of the recommended treatment methods, is under way in Cork. Discussions are proceeding with other health boards and voluntary hospitals and contract documentation is in course of preparation in order to seek tenders through the EU tendering process.