KUALA LUMPUR – The personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by members of the public such as barbers are not categorised as clinical waste, Parliament was told today.
Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that there are two categories for the PPEs – one which is used by medical frontliners or those under quarantine which are clinical waste and the other used by the public.
“There are two categories of PPE. One is clinical and the other is non-clinical. The public is using the non-clinical PPE and it is not considered to be clinical waste and there is no need to manage it like clinical waste.
“This is because it will raise the cost of disposal and will also raise confusion among the public. Clinical waste requires special disposal methods and are placed in yellow colour plastic bags and is tagged for special measures so it will be handled properly.
“PPE used by the public is categorised as domestic waste and can be disposed of normally,” said Tuan Ibrahim during Question Time.
However, when it comes to disposing of clinical waste used by medical frontliners, patients and those under quarantine, a waste disposal facility must obtain a special license from the Environment Department.
Furthermore, clinical wastes are also categorised as scheduled waste.
Since Covid-19 has hit the country, clinical waste has been raised by 20%. – The Vibes, November 3, 2020
