What is Sharps Waste? Everything You Need to Know

Sharps waste is an important issue for businesses and healthcare providers due to its potential health and safety risks.

From understanding what sharps waste is, to proper disposal practices and the role of specialised bins, managing sharps waste requires attention to detail and compliance with regulations.

First, let’s take a look at what exactly is meant by ‘sharps waste’:

What is Sharps Waste?

Sharps waste refers to any medical or clinical item that is sharp enough to puncture or cut skin and is used in healthcare, research or home medical care settings. These items are typically contaminated with blood, bodily fluids or other potentially infectious substances, making them hazardous if not disposed of correctly. 

This type of waste poses significant health risks to both individuals and the environment if mishandled, as it can transmit infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV. Therefore, stringent regulations are in place to ensure sharps are segregated, stored and disposed of safely in dedicated sharps containers to minimise these risks.

Having defined what sharps are, let’s explore some common examples found in both home and healthcare settings:

Sharps Waste Examples

How is Sharps Waste Disposed Of?

Proper disposal of sharps waste is crucial to prevent injuries and infections. The process typically involves several key steps

1. Segregation

Sharps waste is separated from other waste types at the point of use. This involves placing used sharps into designated, puncture-resistant containers immediately after use.

Discover more about the importance of healthcare waste segregation!

2. Collection

Once the sharps containers are filled to a safe level, they are securely sealed and collected by a licensed waste management company, like Stericycle.

3. Transportation

The sealed containers are transported following strict regulations to ensure safety and prevent contamination during transit.

4. Treatment

At authorised facilities, sharps waste undergoes treatment processes such as autoclaving or incineration to neutralise any hazardous components.

5. Disposal

After treatment, the non-hazardous remnants are disposed of in compliance with environmental regulations.

In the UK, the disposal of sharps waste is governed by regulations such as the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013. These regulations mandate safe use and disposal practices to protect healthcare workers and the public.

Correct segregation of sharps waste is vital to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. Stericycle offers comprehensive sharps waste management solutions, including the provision of appropriate sharps containers and reliable collection services, to assist businesses in maintaining compliance, along with educational resources to help segregate waste correctly.

Let’s take a closer look at sharps waste bins and how they can help keep your workplace safe and compliant!

Sharps Waste Bins: Choosing The Right One

Selecting the right sharps waste bin is a very important factor for safety and compliance. Here’s a simple guide to help businesses choose the correct bin based on their needs:

• The Yellow Sharps Bin: Designed for sharps contaminated with non-hazardous medicinal products. These bins are ideal for waste requiring incineration, ensuring safe and compliant disposal.
  
  

• The Orange Sharps Bin: Suitable for sharps not contaminated with medicines, commonly used in general healthcare and procedures like blood sample collection.
  
  

• The Purple Sharps Bin: Designed for sharps contaminated with cytotoxic or cytostatic medicines, requiring specialised high-temperature incineration.
  
  

Stericycle provides a variety of sharps bins in multiple sizes, including compact options for low-volume use and larger bins for high-volume needs. Available sizes range from 0.5L to 22L, ensuring businesses have flexible options to meet their specific requirements.

To explore all available sizes and learn more about selecting the right sharps bin for your workplace, visit or Sharps Bins page.

Can You Reuse Sharps Containers?

Yes, sharps containers can be reused if they are specifically designed as reusable.

Reusable sharps containers, such as Stericycle’s Bio Systems bins, are durable, UN-approved containers that can be used up to 600 times. After use, these containers are professionally emptied, washed, disinfected, and inspected for safety before being reassembled and returned for reuse.

To install reusable sharps containers, businesses can partner with Stericycle, which offers a complete service including bin supply, collection, and replacement. This solution not only ensures compliance with health and safety regulations but also supports sustainable waste management practices.

Explore more about the Bio Systems Sharps management!

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