The main aim of this study is to describe the status and management of veterinary waste in the Durban Unicity. Private veterinary practices, a veterinary diagnostics laboratory and waste disposal companies were used in the study. There are other sources of veterinary waste, which include state veterinary services and welfare organisations like the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and animal klEmnels, which were not included in this study.
In published literature and national legislation, veterinary waste is not given the same priority or concern for its disposal, as is human medical waste. This is reflected in the gaps in the documents which lay down the minimum requirements for waste disposal, (DWAF, 1998) where veterinary practices are not acknowledged as producing medical waste. However, veterinary waste potentially contains diseases (zoonoses) which are fatal to both humans and animals if left untreated.
A major finding of this study is the perceived difference between veterinary and human medical waste. This distinction may be responsible for a careless attitude towards the ways in which wastes are managed in veterinary practices, which this researcher believes to be a potential source of danger. This perceived difference is justified by the 'respect' for human remains, and the fear of contracting HIV from poorly managed waste. The literature concerning waste management (in particular DWAF's (1998) mil1imum requirements), the responses to the questionnaires and discussions with veterinarians and waste disposal practitioners during this study all make this clear.
Veterinary waste (like human dental and medical waste) is still medical waste. This is apparent from the similar categories of waste produced (Table 1). Culture and serlsitivities aside, these categories of veterinary waste will have the same impact in ter'ms of environmental pollution and danger to staff and the general public through occasional exposure, especially where sharps or infectious waste has been mislabelled
'domestic waste'. Besides the risks of HIV, the Occupational Health and Safety Act lists over 130 zoonotic HBA (Appendix 10) which may possibly exist in wastes. Some of these zoonotic conditions are characterised by a relatively acute onset (compared to HIV) and rapidly become fatal, if nothing is done to prevent, diagnose and treat them.
This study has shown that management of veterinary wastes is presently unregulated and dependent on the good sense of the producers. Unfortunately, disposal costs are relatively higher for smaller practices and might tempt some veterinarians to dispose of their wastes by dumping.
Bearing in mind the diverse nature of the wastes generated, stored and collected including the conditions under which waste may be generated, a set of guidelines for the management of veterinary waste have been proposed (Chapter 6). These guidelines include principles for sustainable waste management drawn from NEMA and other legislation and policy. It must be remembered that these guidelines assume that once waste has been separated at the practice, there are competent waste disposal companies who remove the different categories of waste for disposal. It is also recommended that these guidelines be communicated to the veterinarians through the SAVC or local branches of the SAVA. These same organisations, including the local municipalities and environmental bodies (DWAF and DAEA) should also ensure that disposal is adequately supervised.
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APPENDICES