Related Experiment Videos
Operating Theatre Waste Generation and Segregation in a Tertiary Hospital: A Prospective Waste Audit
Nicholas McCabe1, Nicholas Clarnette1, Kaiwen Cabbabe1
1Northern Clinical School, University of Melbourne, Epping, Australia.
ANZ Journal of Surgery
|July 1, 2026
Summary
Operating theatres generate substantial clinical waste, with low recycling rates. Targeted interventions and improved waste segregation are crucial for reducing the environmental impact of surgical care.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Healthcare sustainability
- Waste management
Background:
- Healthcare contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Operating theatres are highly carbon-intensive hospital areas.
- Waste disposal practices in operating theatres are a major environmental concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify operating theatre waste streams.
- To inform targeted sustainability interventions in hospitals.
- To analyze waste generation by surgical specialty.
Main Methods:
- Prospective waste audit conducted over 10 weekdays.
- Audit at a 400-bed tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia.
- Categorization of solid waste (general, clinical, recyclable) from 386 operations.
Main Results:
- Total waste generated: 2309 kg (5.98 kg/operation).
- Clinical waste was the largest proportion (46%), followed by general (40%) and recyclable (14%).
- High waste volumes from General Surgery, Orthopaedics, and Plastic Surgery; Orthopaedics generated the most waste per case (7.15 kg).
Conclusions:
- Operating theatres produce predominantly clinical waste with low recycling rates.
- Significant variation in waste composition exists across surgical specialties.
- Opportunities exist for improved waste segregation, education, and specialty-specific interventions to reduce environmental impact.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Tertiary Healthcare System
Specialized care provided over an extended period is called tertiary care. Usually, a primary or secondary care physician will refer a patient to tertiary care. A patient's maximum physical and mental function is restored in tertiary care, which is caused due to the impact of a chronic illness or condition. Tertiary care aims to achieve the highest level of functioning possible while managing chronic illness. For example, a patient who falls and fractures their hip will need secondary care to...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:30Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water
Biological wastewater treatment relies on the metabolic activity of microorganisms to remove pollutants from sewage. In modern treatment systems, this process is organized into sequential stages that progressively reduce solid material, dissolved organic matter, and microbial contamination. Each stage plays a distinct role in improving water quality and preparing the effluent for safe discharge or reuse.Primary and Secondary TreatmentPrimary treatment is a physical process that removes large...
01:26Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living donor...
01:30Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Microbial communities in aquatic ecosystems play a key role in the natural breakdown of contaminants introduced through domestic and industrial effluents. Acting as biological catalysts, these microbes change and mineralize a wide range of organic and inorganic pollutants under different redox conditions.In oxygen-rich surface waters, aerobic heterotrophs lead organic matter breakdown, using oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor to efficiently oxidize substrates to carbon dioxide and water.
01:29Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing and managing appendicitis requires a structured and comprehensive approach that spans from initial assessment to postoperative care. Here is an overview of the process:
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...