Table II.
Waste segregation streams and amount of waste generated.
| Study (year) | Subspecialty | Setting | Functional unit | Cases, n | Total waste, kg | Waste stream | Total per stream, kg (%) | Waste per case, kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alam et al (2008) | Not specific | Inpatient ward | Waste generated on ward | 1 ward | 154 | Glass | 7.48 (4.86) | 1.75†
1.12‡ |
| Needle | 0.13 (0.08) | |||||||
| Textile | 37.4 (24.3) | |||||||
| Rubber | 4.43 (2.88) | |||||||
| Plastic | 20.6 (13.38) | |||||||
| Paper | 9.91 (6.44) | |||||||
| Pack | 10.7 (6.95) | |||||||
| Vegetable | 63.34 (41.1) | |||||||
| De Sa et al (2016) | Hip arthroscopy | Perioperative | Opening of surgical kits to patient leaves theatre, all equipment disposed | 5 | 47.4§ | Normal/landfill | 6.4 (13.5) | 9.4 |
| Recyclable | 6.4 (13.5) | |||||||
| Biohazard | 21.7 (45.7) | |||||||
| Sterile polypropylene wrap | 11.7 (24.6) | |||||||
| Sharps | 1.2 (2.6) | |||||||
| Linens (excluded) | N/R | |||||||
| Hennessy et al (2021) | Not specific | Perioperative | Waste generated only from implants | 5 | 4.791 | Cardboard | 2.748 (57.4) | N/R |
| Plastic | 2.023 (42.2) | |||||||
| Kooner et al (2019) | Arthroplasty, upper limb, sports, trauma, paediatrics, foot and ankle | Perioperative | Opening of surgical kits to after theatre cleaned | 55 | 341 | Recyclable | 93.4 (27.4) | 6.2 |
| Non-recyclable | 239.1 (70.1) | |||||||
| Biological | 8.5 (2.5) | |||||||
| Lee et al (2012) | Arthroplasty | Perioperative | Waste generated within and leaving sterile field | 20 | 286.6 | Contaminated | 200.5 (69.9) | 14.3 |
| Uncontaminated | 86.2 (30.1) | |||||||
| Shinn et al (2017) | Arthroplasty | Perioperative | Opening of surgical kits to all equipment and protective attire disposed | 5 | 84.4 | Regulated medical waste | 62.8 (74.4) | 16.9 |
| Non-regulated medical waste | 16.4 (19.4) | |||||||
| Sterile polypropylene wrap | 5.2 (6.2) | |||||||
| Southorn et al (2013) | Arthroplasty, spine | Perioperative | Waste generated throughout perioperative period, includes anaesthetic area | 44 | 401.8 | Domestic | 188.2 (46.8) | 9.1 |
| Clinical | 213.8 (53.2) | |||||||
| Stall et al (2011) | Arthroplasty | Perioperative | Opening of surgical kits to all equipment and protective attire disposed | 5 | 66.7§ | Normal solid waste | 43.1 (64.5) | 13.3 |
| Recyclable clear plastics | 1.5 (2.2) | |||||||
| Biohazard | 12.8 (19.2) | |||||||
| Sterile polypropylene wrap | 8.1 (12.1) | |||||||
| Sharps | 1.4 (2) | |||||||
| Linen (excluded) | N/R | |||||||
| Thiel et al (2019) | Hand | Perioperative | Waste generated from operation | 178 | 438 | Not recorded | N/R | 2.5 |
*
88 beds, 137 patients per day.
†
Per bed per day.
‡
Per patient per day.
§
Excluding linen.
N/R, not recorded.