Analysis of healthcare waste generated by drugstores in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Healthcare wastes (HCW) are generated in establishments involved in human and animal healthcare activities, including pharmacies and drugstores. These activities also generate HCW, although they have been little studied in the scientific context. The present study aims to quantify and characterize the HCW generated by drugstores in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Information contained in the Healthcare Waste Management Plans (HCWMP) was used and statistical analyzes were conducted in order to obtain the average generation by waste groups and by regions of the city. From the available data, an average global daily generation of 1218 kg/day (8140 L/day) of HCW was obtained in Belo Horizonte city, with an estimated generation per establishment of 8.98±1.50 kg/day (60±10 L/day), ranging from 0,03 kg/day (0.21 L/day) to 39,64 kg/day (265 L/day). The study revealed that the majority of the waste is non-hazardous, accounting for 97% of the total generated (1185 kg/day; 7900 L/day), while hazardous waste constituted only 3%. Most of the hazardous waste was chemical in nature.