Safe Disposal and Management of Unused, Unwanted Contraceptives

This document provides guidance and information to institutions, such as Ministries of Health and implementing partners, on the safe disposal of unusable contraceptives. As access to modern contraceptives spreads throughout the developing world, the responsible management of related waste needs to be considered. Unusable contraceptive waste can consist of, but is not limited to, latex material from condoms, plastic from bodies of IUDs, packaging materials for contraceptives etc., and more importantly, estrogen and progesterone and their derivatives included in hormonal contraceptives.

International guidelines already exist for the disposal of various types of medical waste. However, contraceptive waste has unique characteristics which require specialized guidelines.