Pretreatment of biomedical waste is an essential step in healthcare waste management because waste generated in hospitals, laboratories, blood banks, research institutions, vaccination centres and other healthcare facilities may contain infectious microorganisms, blood and body fluids, pathological materials, sharps, chemicals and other hazardous substances. If such waste is handled, transported or disposed of without appropriate pretreatment, it can cause infection, injury, environmental contamination and occupational exposure. Pretreatment refers to the initial treatment of biomedical waste at or near the point of generation before its final transportation, processing, recycling or disposal. Its major purpose is to reduce or eliminate the hazards associated with the waste and make subsequent handling safer. Biomedical waste can contain bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and other pathogenic organisms. Infectious waste may transmit diseases to healthcare workers, waste handlers, patients, visitors and the general community. Contaminated dressings, swabs, cultures, blood-soaked materials and laboratory waste can remain infectious for considerable periods. Pretreatment, particularly disinfection or sterilization, reduces the microbial load and consequently lowers the risk of transmission. It is therefore an important component of infection prevention and occupational safety. Another major need for pretreatment is protection against sharps-related injuries. Used needles, scalpels, blades, lancets and other sharp objects may cause puncture wounds during collection, transportation and disposal. Such injuries can expose workers to blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Sharps should be collected immediately after use in appropriate puncture-proof containers and subjected to suitable treatment, such as disinfection followed by mutilation, shredding or an approved alternative process. Pretreatment makes sharps safer for subsequent handling and reduces the possibility of reuse. Pretreatment also helps to prevent environmental pollution. Untreated biomedical waste may contaminate soil, surface water and groundwater when disposed of improperly. Infectious materials and untreated liquid waste can enter drainage systems and water bodies. Burning certain biomedical materials under uncontrolled conditions may release toxic gases and particulate matter. Appropriate pretreatment and treatment technologies help