Infectious Waste Disposal Solutions

While all healthcare waste has to be appropriately managed and treated, infectious waste can be a particularly complex waste stream to manage, because of the risks it poses to people who may come into contact with it.

Known or suspected to be contaminated

Infectious waste needs to be treated to reduce / eliminate the risks present. Because of this, it costs more to treat and dispose of infectious waste than other healthcare wastes so it is important to practice good waste segregation. It is extremely important that proper waste segregation is practiced.

With a healthcare focus of over 30 years in the industry, Stericycle is your single partner for all regulated waste streams. Our experienced teams provide advice and guidance for appropriate handling, containment, transportation and infectious waste disposal.

Yellow Containers & Bags

The yellow waste stream is used for infectious waste disposal such as:

  • Blood & items visibly soiled with blood
  • Contaminated waste from patients with transmissible infectious diseases
  • Incontinent wear from patients with known or suspected enteric pathogens
  • Items contaminated with body fluids other than faeces, urine or breast milk i.e. pus, sputum or peritoneal fluid
  • Other healthcare infectious wastes

Yellow Lidded Container

Yellow lidded containers must be used when disposing of:

  • Blood and blood administration sets
  • Body fluids but not in bulk and must be solidified Disposable suction liners
  • Redivac drains
  • Drained histopathology waste (no formaldehyde) Sputum containers from known or suspected TB cases
  • Clinical wastes from Lab permitted (no chemical residues permitted)

Purple Sharps Container

Purple sharps containers are used for infectious waste disposal waste such as:

  • Needles, syringes, sharp instruments etc. that have been used for the administration of cytotoxic waste.                                                          
  • Controlled drugs (discharge first) 

Black lidded containers

Black Lidded containers must be used for the following types of infectious waste disposal:-

  • Recognisable anatomical waste
  • Blood or tissue suspected of CJD contamination
  • Non autoclaved risk group 2 & 3 lab cultures
  • Bulk metal objects e.g. laryngoscope blades

Yellow Containers & Bags

The yellow waste stream is used for infectious waste disposal such as:

  • Blood & items visibly soiled with blood
  • Contaminated waste from patients with transmissible infectious diseases
  • Incontinent wear from patients with known or suspected enteric pathogens
  • Items contaminated with body fluids other than faeces, urine or breast milk i.e. pus, sputum or peritoneal fluid
  • Other healthcare infectious wastes

Yellow Lidded Container

Yellow lidded containers must be used when disposing of:

  • Blood and blood administration sets
  • Body fluids but not in bulk and must be solidified Disposable suction liners
  • Redivac drains
  • Drained histopathology waste (no formaldehyde) Sputum containers from known or suspected TB cases
  • Clinical wastes from Lab permitted (no chemical residues permitted)

Purple Sharps Container

Purple sharps containers are used for infectious waste disposal waste such as:

  • Needles, syringes, sharp instruments etc. that have been used for the administration of cytotoxic waste.                                                          
  • Controlled drugs (discharge first) 

Black lidded containers

Black Lidded containers must be used for the following types of infectious waste disposal:-

  • Recognisable anatomical waste
  • Blood or tissue suspected of CJD contamination
  • Non autoclaved risk group 2 & 3 lab cultures
  • Bulk metal objects e.g. laryngoscope blades

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Why we're the perfect partner for you

You segregate

Segregate and store each type of specialist waste separately from your general waste.

We collect

Either on an agreed regular schedule or you can contact us for additional or ad-hoc collections.

We treat & dispose

All your waste is compliantly and securely processed, giving you peace of mind.

Contact us for a free quote today

Frequently Asked Questions

Infectious waste is waste that is hazardous to any person or animal that comes into contact with it.

Different types of infectious waste require different methods of disposal. You can find out more about which are the relevant containers for the type of infectious waste here 

Infectious waste can be disposed of in different types of bags and containers. You can find out more information here.

Infectious waste is potentially hazardous to those who come in contact with it and needs either treatment to render safe prior to disposal or incineration.

Non-infectious waste is not hazardous to those who come in contact with it and is suitable for direct disposal or recycling.

Different bags can be used for different types of infectious waste. You can find out which bags are suitable for the relevant type of waste here.