Managing the waste streams of labs and healthcare facilities is complex. Each organization, region, and country has different priorities, regulations, rules, and expectations. Lab managers and lab safety managers spend a significant amount of time designing, implementing, and training staff to ensure that they meet their responsibilities around the proper handling and segregation of waste.
To learn about ways that waste segregation and recycling can be improved, we talked with Graham Flynn, managing director of clinical waste management service providers at Anenta.
Q: What are the most common mistakes or misconceptions you see in waste segregation in labs and healthcare facilities?
A: A recurring issue we see in healthcare and laboratory settings is the improper mixing of waste streams, such as placing non-hazardous packaging and paper products into clinical waste bins or, more seriously, disposing of sharps in general waste. These errors increase disposal costs and can create significant safety risks, particularly for those handling the waste.
Graham Flynn
Another misconception is that all plastics can be recycled, when in fact, only certain uncontaminated packaging materials are accepted in most healthcare recycling programs. In addition, variations in color-coded bins and signage across different departments or facilities can often contribute to inconsistent segregation practices. Even minor differences in labeling or container appearance can cause people to make the wrong choice, underscoring the need for standardized systems and clear, prominent labelling.
Q: What training or communication methods have you found most effective in improving lab waste habits?
A: Generally, hands-on, scenario-based training tends to work better than basic lectures. When staff see real examples of what belongs in each bin and are tested on how they should be sorting materials, mistakes tend to drop significantly. Visual tools like color-coded posters placed directly above waste stations are also very effective, especially in high-pressure environments. In addition to this, regular feedback, such as showing teams their segregation error rates or cost savings, can help keep people engaged and reinforce good habits. Similarly, it’s always good to offer refresher sessions every so often to ensure people are consistently sorting waste properly.
Q: How can labs or healthcare teams redesign their workflows to reduce unnecessary material use?
A: The key to creating sustainable workflows is mapping out processes step by step to spot where disposables are being used out of habit rather than necessity. For example, some labs automatically open more pipette tips or gloves than they use in a procedure. By creating leaner workflows and standard operating procedures, teams can cut down on wasted supplies. Simple adjustments, like centralizing supply stations instead of stocking every bench, can also prevent overuse.
Q: What barriers make it difficult to adopt reusable products, and how have you seen those overcome?
A: The transition from disposable to reusable products in labs and healthcare facilities is often slowed by both practical and cultural barriers. Regulatory compliance is a key challenge, as cleaning and sterilization protocols must undergo rigorous testing and be fully documented. Financial considerations also play a role, since the upfront costs of reprocessing equipment, staff training, and logistics can seem higher than purchasing disposables.
One effective way to overcome these challenges is through pilot programs that track outcomes such as cost savings, reductions in waste volumes, and compliance with infection control standards. These measurable results help build confidence among both staff and leadership, putting facilities in a better position to expand reusable product initiatives.
Q: What roles do suppliers and manufacturers play in reducing waste, and how can organizations make better procurement choices to support sustainability?
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A: Suppliers and manufacturers play a critical role in shaping the waste footprint of healthcare and laboratory operations through the design of their products and the way they package and deliver them. Facilities can influence this upstream impact by integrating sustainability into their procurement processes. This means evaluating not only cost and performance but also the environmental profile of products, such as whether they are made with recycled or renewable materials, whether packaging is minimized, and whether products are designed for durability and efficient use.
Sustainable procurement also involves looking beyond individual items to the supply chain as a whole. Choosing vendors with robust sustainability policies, transparent reporting, and commitments to reducing their own environmental impact helps align purchasing decisions with broader organizational goals. Over time, this creates market pressure for suppliers and manufacturers to innovate in ways that reduce waste and support more circular resource use.
Q: How can leadership and management create a culture that supports and sustains better waste practices over the long term?
A: Leadership is essential for embedding sustainable waste practices into the culture of any organization. When senior managers make waste reduction a visible priority and integrate it into organizational goals, staff are more likely to see it as part of everyday practice rather than an optional task. Setting clear expectations, providing the necessary resources, and ensuring accountability through audits or performance indicators are all critical steps.
Equally important is how leadership approaches communication and staff engagement. Recognizing teams for good performance, sharing progress toward sustainability targets, and providing feedback on both successes and areas for improvement helps reinforce positive behaviors.
Consistency, clarity, and reduction: keys to better segregation
Lab managers can take an active role in making waste segregation easier for staff through clearer processes and effective training. They can also work with their peers to make waste segregation consistent across a broader organization to ensure a coherent message. Waste reduction can be a big part of improving the process. Look for vendors who are reducing excess packaging waste and seek opportunities to reuse some consumables.
Graham Flynn is the managing director at Anenta. A highly experienced environmental services professional and entrepreneur, Graham has worked at every level of the waste management industry. His two previous environmental services companies have been successfully acquired.
Graham’s wide-ranging experience includes four years working for private entities developing UNFCCC accredited CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) in Central and South America as well as six years within the NHS focusing on the stabilization of waste management practices and contracts across London.
Graham’s expertise and passion for improving environmental management practices led to his appointment as head of environmental services working for Essentia (part of Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust), where he and his team delivered significant change, driving improvements across all aspects of primary care environmental management, including energy, waste and sustainability.
Combining previous business management experience, public sector experience, and wide ranging technical environmental knowledge, he identified the potential to make greater improvements in the delivery and management of environmental services in the NHS by reducing internal bureaucracy.
As the founder of Anenta, his vision remains to deliver change via an external contract management business, committed to providing bespoke, affordable and professional services that include recycling, general waste, saniwaste, confidential, and clinical waste streams.
