Pharmaceutical waste management

Secure and compliant pharmaceutical waste disposal for pharmacies, hospitals and aged care, including expired medications and controlled drugs.
about

About

Pharmaceutical waste
solutions for pharmacies and healthcare providers

We provide complete management of your pharmaceutical waste, including storage, transportation and destruction of expired, compromised, hazardous or controlled drugs. Our services are tailored to meet the needs of hospitals, pharmacies, aged care facilities and healthcare providers across Australia – ensuring regulatory compliance with the EPA and TGA while protecting public health.

Together with our specialist healthcare waste provider Cleanaway Daniels, we deliver the world’s safest pharmaceutical management system. When you partner with Cleanaway, you’re supported at every step to securely manage discarded pharmaceuticals without compromising sustainability.

Pharmaceutical waste refers to any expired, unused, contaminated or no-longer-required medicines, including controlled drugs.

Expired and unused pharmaceuticals

Includes unused, expired, or surplus medications, vaccines, and pharmaceutical products requiring safe disposal.

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Pharmaceutical packaging and contaminated materials

Covers packaging, vials, and materials contaminated with pharmaceutical residues that must be managed securely. 

Service

Who we support

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Hospitals and healthcare facilities

Providing compliant disposal of unused and expired pharmaceuticals from medical and surgical departments.

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Pharmacies and retail clinics

Managing returns and disposal of surplus medications and pharmaceutical products from retail outlets and community clinics.

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Pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors

Handling waste generated during production, quality control, and distribution processes in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Research laboratories and universities

Supporting safe disposal of experimental drugs, samples, and contaminated materials from scientific research and development.

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Process

How we dispose of expired medications and other pharmaceutical waste

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Segregation at the source using secure bins
Unusable pharmaceuticals are placed in locked pharmaceutical containers, clearly marked for identification and risk categorisation.
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Tracked collection by certified personnel
Our drivers – trained in the handling of controlled substances – scan and record each container as part of a closed-loop waste manifest system.
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High-temperature incineration
All pharmaceutical waste is destroyed at licensed incineration facilities, eliminating active compounds and preventing diversion or environmental release.
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Destruction certification and reporting
You receive certificates of destruction and compliance documentation for audit, reporting and regulatory filing purposes.

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Process

How we manage pharmaceutical waste

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Secure collection systems
Specialised pharmaceutical bins and containers designed to prevent tampering and ensure safe segregation of medicines.
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Scheduled pick-up
Our trained drivers collect waste on a compliant schedule that suits your facility, minimising risk of stockpiling or diversion.
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Licensed transport and treatment
Pharmaceutical waste is transported in line with regulatory requirements to licensed facilities for high-temperature incineration or other approved treatments.
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Safe, compliant outcomes
We ensure pharmaceuticals are completely destroyed, preventing environmental contamination and protecting community health.

Details

Secure bins and collection

Cleanaway’s Pharmasmart system sets a new industry benchmark for the safe collection, containment and disposal of pharmaceutical waste. Engineered to eliminate tampering, misuse and leakage, our reusable containers protect contents through:

  • In-built tamper-proof locks to prevent unauthorised access
  • Leak-proof seals to contain liquids and prevent spills
  • Content-concealing safety tray to restrict visibility and hand access
  • Optional additional front lock for use in public or less secure environments
  • Integration with lockable trolleys and brackets for added security during movement and storage

Our versatile Pharmasmart containers can be used for both low-volume healthcare environments as well as high-volume pharmacy waste disposal. They’re designed to optimise space, overcome logistical challenges and facilitate point-of-use disposal while complying with all relevant local and state EPA regulations.

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Output

What happens to pharmaceutical waste

EPA requirements in Australia mandate that all pharmaceutical waste must be clearly identified as a dedicated stream and destroyed by high temperature incineration.

Unlike other disposal methods like landfill, incineration breaks down potentially harmful compounds into inert elements that cannot harm people or the environment through:

  • Accidental poisoning
  • Recovery and misuse of prescription medicines, particularly controlled drugs
  • Waterway contamination
  • Chemicals leaching into soil
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Our promise

Why choose Cleanaway

  • A one-stop solution

    We offer an expansive range of services, custom waste solutions and expert support to meet the waste management and resource recovery needs of Australian businesses, councils and industries of any size. 

  • Making a sustainable future possible together

    We’re leading the way in sustainable waste management and resource recovery, helping Australia to transition to a circular economy and investing in lasting solutions for the benefit of all Australians – now and into the future.

  • Health, safety and environmental focus

    We implement rigorous controls to safely collect, treat and dispose of waste, minimising the risk of harm to people and the environment while meeting strict compliance standards.

  • Market-leading infrastructure

    Our EPA-licensed, state-of-the-art facilities enable safe, efficient waste processing and resource recovery at scale.