Clinical Waste

What needs to be collected and disposed of as clinical waste

Clinical waste can include:

• infectious bodily fluids, including blood and human tissue
• infectious swabs or dressings
• syringes, needles or other sharp instruments (known as sharps) including used needles from weight-loss drug 'pens'
• empty glass insulin cartridges
   

What you can put in your normal waste collection

You do not need a clinical waste collection for the following types of waste, which can be placed in your purple-lidded non-recyclables bin:

• incontinence and period products
• stoma and catheter bags
• dressings from non-infectious wounds

These items should be placed in a bin liner and securely tied before placing in your purple-lidded non-recyclables bin. Double-bagging items like this can be helpful to minimise odours.

If your current bin capacity is not sufficient for your ongoing non-infectious waste, please let us know so that we can adjust your capacity as needed.
 

How clinical waste is collected and managed

Infectious clinical waste collected is separately from your normal waste in specially provided sharps boxes or orange sacks. It is managed separately and sent for incineration to prevent infection. Collections are provided free of charge and the frequency of collections is suited to each case.

Please note: needles and sharps must not be placed in an orange sack, instead sharps for disposal must be contained in a special sharps box. This includes sharps from weight-loss injectables.

If you don’t have a sharps box, please use the form below to request one.
 

How to request a clinical waste collection

Please use our online form to:

• arrange a regular clinical waste collection
• request a temporary clinical waste collection
• request replacement containers

Alternatively you can call 01279 655260 and choose option 1, where you can also get further information and advice on clinical waste collections.
 

What to do on collection day

• Containers and sacks must be left on your doorstep ready for collection from 6.30am on day of collection.
• If you have sharps for disposal these must be contained in a special sharps box. If you don’t have one, please request one using our form. Sharps placed in orange sacks or any other container will not be collected.
• All bagged waste must be contained in the orange sacks provided and sacks must be tied at the top.
• Do not place orange clinical waste sacks in your normal refuse bin as this will not be collected.
   

Further details

Collections of clinical waste are provided free of charge for private residents, and the frequency of collections is suited to each case.

If you are a business, such as a doctors, dentist or vets, please check our trade waste page for guidance on trade clinical waste.

If the clinical waste is related to someone who is deceased, we advise you call 01279 655260 and choose option 1 to arrange a collection. Any unused medication should be given back to the point of issue who will be able to deal with it in the appropriate way.

If you are being treated in your home by a community nurse or a member of the NHS, any waste produced as a result is considered to be the healthcare professional’s waste and should be removed and disposed of by them.