Infectious Waste Disposal
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.
What is Infectious Waste?
Infectious waste encompasses materials contaminated with pathogens capable of transmitting diseases to humans or animals. This includes items such as used medical gloves, cultures, swabs, and sharps contaminated with blood or bodily fluids. Proper disposal of infectious waste is crucial to prevent the spread of infections and protect public health.
Stericycle UK offers specialised infectious waste disposal services tailored to healthcare facilities' unique needs.
Infectious waste is predominantly produced by healthcare facilities including:
Furthermore, various industries contribute to the generation of infectious waste, such as pharmaceutical companies, research facilities, and biotechnology firms. It's imperative for all sectors generating infectious waste to adhere to strict disposal protocols to mitigate the risk of spreading infections and safeguard public health and the environment.
How is Infectious Waste Disposed?
Infectious waste disposal involves a multi-step process to ensure safety and compliance.
First, infectious waste is segregated and collected using specially designed bins and bags. Next, it undergoes treatment, which may include autoclaving, chemical disinfection, or incineration, depending on the type of waste.
Finally, the treated waste is disposed of in accordance with regulatory requirements, often through landfilling or energy recovery processes. Stericycle provides comprehensive infectious waste disposal services, adhering to the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility.
Infectious Waste Bins & Bags
Infectious waste, known or suspected to be contaminated, requires special treatment to minimise risks. Stericycle provides tailored solutions for infectious waste management, including disposal of contaminated clinical products, anatomical waste, and gypsum.
All colour-coded to ensure proper segregation and compliance with regulations. Choose from our range of products, including:
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Yellow Bags
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Yellow Lidded Container
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Purple Sharps Container
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Black LIdded Container
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.
Looking for something else? See some of the sectors we serve
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.