Fortune J Health Sci 2019; 2 (2): 014-029 DOI: 10.26502/fjhs007 Fortune Journal of Health Sciences - Vol. 2 No. 2 - June 2019 14 Review Article Health Care Waste: Avoiding Hazards to Living and Non Living Environment by Efficient Management Deepak S Khobragade * Rajarshi Shahu College of Pharmacy, Buldhana, Maharashtra, India * Corresponding Author: Deepak S Khobragade, Rajarshi Shahu College of Pharmacy, Buldhana, Maharashtra 443001, India, E-mail: ksdeepak31@gmail.com Received: 03 December 2018; Accepted: 12 April 2018; Published: 18 April 2018 Abstract Healthcare profession is one of the most Nobel professions, but it generates a lot of waste material referred as health care waste (HCW) or Bio-waste. HCW is not only hazardous to human life, but also for all living organisms and whole of the environment if not properly handled and disposed. The HCW is composed of various fractions with variable dangers depending on their origin and content. The HCW cannot be treated as a general waste, but needs to be treated specially considering its danger to human and environment. There are various methods for disposing HCW which must be selected in view of the waste properties and suitability. Health care centers must design and follow appropriate waste management policies and methodologies to reduce and minimize deleterious effects on human and other living beings and environment. Keywords: Health care waste; Infectious; Environment; Biohazard 1. Introduction Health care profession is considered as one of the noblest professions intended to protect human beings against diseases, restore health and save lives. But it is also a major source of very specific type of waste that is very much proving to be a menace to the environment and human health if dumped in an environment without thoughtful considerations. Healthcare waste is the waste generated by healthcare providing centers and persons which includes chemicals, expired pharmaceutical products and radioactive items and sharps and infectious use and throw materials like bandages. These items can be toxic, pathogenic and environmentally adverse because of their non- biodegradable and/or reusable nature. Some non hazardous waste materials generated through healthcare include medication boxes, the packaging materials for medical and food items with unused food itself and also waste from