Recorded webinar: The status of clinical waste collections during COVID-19 and future planning

We recently partnered with Health Purchasing Victoria, the Environment Protection Authority and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to present a webinar on clinical waste during COVID-19.

30 September 2020

8.30 pm - 11.00 pm

Webinar

The webinar was held in response to the significant increase in the amount of clinical waste generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attracting more than 70 attendees from Victorian health services, this webinar provided:

an update on the clinical waste collection status during COVID-19
the avenues of support available
future planning considerations
an opportunity for health services to share their current experiences and concerns with the four government agencies involved in the clinical waste process.

During Victoria’s second wave, clinical waste collections were impacted.Throughout this period, we collaborated with Health Purchasing Victoria, the Environment Protection Authority and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and waste contractors to facilitate the collection, processing and disposal of the waste while adhering to environmental regulations.

Learn more about managing clinical waste on the Sustainability page in our resources section.

Topics and presenters

All presenters wish to express their sincere gratitude to all that attended for their active interest and support in improving the environmental sustainability of our health system.

Watch the entire recording or use the time codes to skip to a specific topic.

WATCH THE VIDEO	SESSION
00:00:04	Introduction Rachel McConville, Waste Education Officer, Environmental Sustainability unit Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority
00:01:40	HPV Waste management contract James Lee, Senior Category Manager Health Purchasing Victoria (HPV)
00:09:05	Whole of government approach to COVID-19 Kim Soo, Senior Policy Officer, Waste and Recycling Division Department of Environment, Land, Planning and Water (DELWP)
00:16:17	Whole of government approach to COVID-19 from a regulatory perspective Insights on clinical waste in the non-hospital setting Nathalie Allaz-Barnett, Team Leader, Advice and Assessment, Environmental Public Health Unit Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
00:20:29	Key Learnings and future planning Rachel McConville, Waste Education Officer Environmental Sustainability unit, Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority

Health Purchasing Victoria (HPV)

Health Purchasing Victoria is a state-wide health procurement organisation that negotiates and manages contracts on behalf of Victorian public hospitals and health services. This includes the state-wide waste management contract.

During the webinar, James Lee, from HPV, presented on the HPV Waste management contract and discussed the current issues being experienced across the network, as well as steps being taken to address these issues and avenues for escalation.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP)

DELWP is a Victorian government department focused on creating a liveable, inclusive and sustainable Victoria with thriving natural environments.

Kim Soo from DELWP presented on the whole of government response to clinical waste during COVID-19 including the establishment of the Waste and Recycling Incident Management Team (WRIMT) as a key measure introduced in April 2020. The WRIMT has been coordinating policy advice and key responses to issues, consulting with industry, identifying risks, collecting data and analysing sector impacts and preparedness.

Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

The EPA works to protect the environment and human health from the impacts of pollution and waste.

During the webinar, Nathalie Allaz-Barnett, from the EPA presented on the whole of government response to COVID-19 from a regulatory perspective and shared insights into clinical waste in the non-hospital setting.