Cleanaway opens clinical waste treatment facility

Cleanaway Waste Management Limited (Cleanaway) has opened its first-ever clinical waste treatment facility in Bridgewater, Tasmania.

The Bridgewater Health Services facility will support Tasmania’s health sector with the safe handling and disposal of medical, pharmaceutical and healthcare hazardous waste. 

At full capacity the Bridgewater facility can process up to 2600 tonnes of waste per year. It will handle and dispose of clinical waste for a wide range of health providers including hospitals, pharmacies, aged care, pathology labs, dentists, veterinary practices, schools and universities, beauticians, childcare centres, maritime, and infrastructure providers.

“We saw firsthand during the COVID pandemic just how essential clinical waste management services are. Without this vital service hospitals and other health service providers can’t do their job,” said Cleanaway’s CEO and Managing Director, Mark Schubert.

“Importantly, the Bridgewater Health Service will treat and dispose of Tasmania’s clinical waste in a safe way with the strictest environmental controls.”

The clinical waste will be processed through an autoclave, a specialised pressure cooker that operates at temperatures and pressures ensuring the complete destruction of microorganisms.

“Compared with the traditional method of incineration to treat clinical waste, the Bridgewater’s autoclave avoids the emission dioxins and carbon,” Schubert said.

The Bridgewater Health Service aligns with Cleanaway’s Blueprint 2030 strategy which focuses on integrating and expanding a network of infrastructure assets to provide high-circularity, low-carbon solutions, seamless service and value for customers.

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