This article presents an overview on the awareness of healthcare practitioners have on medical waste produced in the health environment in the South African Republic. An analysis of the literature was conducted to identify a gap within published articles between the years 2013 to 2018 that are relevant to health care waste practices covered by various researchers in the health sector. Many authors emphasize on the importance of following proper procedures when it comes to handling health care waste and also highlight continuous training programs of health care practitioners on waste management. It is recommended that the South African Department of Health should play an active role in ensuring that the health care practitioners follow the standard waste management procedures in place.