Is the offensive waste stream safe to use more widely within the clinical setting?

Yes. When used correctly, the offensive waste stream is both safe and compliant for non-infectious, recognisable healthcare waste that contains no pharmaceutical or chemical substances. Its wider use within clinical settings depends on accurate waste segregation and a clear understanding of the patient population.

National surveillance data indicates that approximately 15–20% of patients in NHS acute hospitals are infectious, whether due to community-acquired infections present on admission or healthcare-associated infections acquired during their stay. This means that up to 1 in 5 patients may generate waste unsuitable for the offensive stream, requiring clinical waste disposal instead.

Sharpsmart’s Continuous Improvement Team ensures that waste segregation aligns with HTM 07-01 and the NHS Clinical Waste Strategy, supporting departments in assessing their infectious patient load and implementing safe waste use. In lower-risk areas, such as outpatient clinics, elective surgery units, or rehabilitation wards, offensive waste can often be expanded with confidence. In higher-risk zones, tighter controls and ongoing surveillance are essential to ensure safety is never compromised.