Waste from healthcare activities

Key facts

• Of the total amount of waste generated by health-care activities, about 80% is general waste.
• The remaining 20% is considered hazardous material that may be infectious, toxic or radioactive.
• Every year an estimated 16 000 million injections are administered worldwide, but not all of the needles and syringes are properly disposed of afterwards.
• Healthcare waste contains potentially harmful microorganisms which can infect hospital patients, health-care workers and the general public.

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