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Sargeant23180  
#1 Posted : 03 February 2010 16:35:37(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Sargeant23180

Hello to you all. Here is the situation...A local nursery has two ordinary waste bins located outside of it premises, these are often filled to overflowing. On more than one occassion I have seen bags of soiled nappies in some kind of bin liner hanging out or balanced on the top of the other waste in these bin. My question is, should these be treated as clinical waste or is it ok for the nursery to mix this with other non-recycled rubbish? I know to some this may seem like a pretty obvious question but its not really my main line of business. Thanks in advance.
User is suspended until 03/02/2041 16:43:28(UTC) IanBlenkharn  
#2 Posted : 03 February 2010 16:55:57(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
IanBlenkharn

Unless there is some local outbreak of infection - unlikely, since the nursery would be closed - nappies are not clinical waste. This is a LA matter, as these are trade wastes. Unless the nursely is very small, ie, little more than a child minder working from home, most enforcement authories would expect to see some evidence of waste management arrangements, collections, receipts etc. And if the wastes are visible from the curtiledge, and even more so if they accessible, there will be questions about standards, visual amenity, prevention of nuisance etc, with the likelihood of immediate service of notice.
Twinklemel  
#3 Posted : 04 February 2010 09:50:40(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Twinklemel

As Ian said, this isn't clinical waste. Are you asking because you're going to advise them or because you're a concerned passer-by who's noticed the build-up of rubbish? If it's the latter, then approach an EHO or AO at your local council's Environmental Health department. If I received such a complaint I'd visit the premises, ascertain how much waste is being generated and check what their rubbish collection arrangements are before deciding how to proceed.
firesafety101  
#4 Posted : 04 February 2010 09:56:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

I once asked the local council about a similar issue, they told me that the soiled nappies would be produced no matter where the babies/children were located and they would end up at the same waste reception plant anyway, therefore just put them in the ordinary, non recyclable bin for normal collection. I can understand there being a problem if not collected often enough to remove them all but they are not hazardous waste.
bob youel  
#5 Posted : 04 February 2010 15:49:14(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

the question about a dirty nappy & clinical waste is not easily answered as its a complicated area -however as its a business we are discussing appropriate management systems [as already noted] should be in place as it is trade waste & I could put up a case that it is clinical waste -not saying that other posts are wrong but my statement proves that it is a complicated Q? As for your LA's comments: I think, in my personal opinion, that the answer given is a very very poor one & the same authority would jump on you if it suited them
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