Infectious Waste Disposal
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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Infectious waste contaminated by medicinal products
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Infectious waste not contaminated with medicinal products
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Infectious anatomical waste
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Infectious gypsum waste
Infectious waste contaminated by medicinal products
The yellow waste stream is used for waste that has been produced from the treatment of infectious patients or those suspected of having an infection, but that is also medicinally contaminated.
Yellow-stream waste must be sent for incineration at a suitably authorised facility. Yellow-lidded sharps units are for sharps that have been used in the administration of, or are contaminated by, medicines other than those that are cytotoxic and cytostatic. Yellow bags and yellow-lidded containers are for non-sharps items that have been used in the treatment of infectious clients, or those suspected of having an infection, that may also be contaminated with medicines or chemicals.
Infectious waste not contaminated with medicinal products
The orange waste stream is used for waste that has been produced from the treatment of infectious patients or those suspected of having an infection, but that is not medicinally or chemically contaminated.
Orange-stream waste can be sent for disinfection by alternative treatment at a suitably authorised facility. Orange-lidded sharps units are for sharps that have not been used in the administration of medicines. Orange bags and orange-lidded containers are for non-sharps waste that has been produced from the treatment of infectious patients, or those suspected of having an infection.
Infectious anatomical waste
The red waste stream is used for infectious and non-infectious anatomical waste.
Red-stream waste must be sent for incineration at a suitably authorised facility. Red-lidded containers are used for anatomical waste; it is not a requirement to segregate infectious from non-infectious anatomical wastes as the treatment and disposal method is the same.
Infectious gypsum waste
Gypsum has a high sulphate content. Combining high sulphate content waste with biodegradable waste produces highly toxic and odorous hydrogen sulphide gas. Because of this, gypsum is banned from normal landfill.
Infectious gypsum waste must be incinerated, whereas non-infectious waste can be consigned for recovery.
Infectious waste contaminated by medicinal products
The yellow waste stream is used for waste that has been produced from the treatment of infectious patients or those suspected of having an infection, but that is also medicinally contaminated.
Yellow-stream waste must be sent for incineration at a suitably authorised facility. Yellow-lidded sharps units are for sharps that have been used in the administration of, or are contaminated by, medicines other than those that are cytotoxic and cytostatic. Yellow bags and yellow-lidded containers are for non-sharps items that have been used in the treatment of infectious clients, or those suspected of having an infection, that may also be contaminated with medicines or chemicals.
Infectious waste not contaminated with medicinal products
The orange waste stream is used for waste that has been produced from the treatment of infectious patients or those suspected of having an infection, but that is not medicinally or chemically contaminated.
Orange-stream waste can be sent for disinfection by alternative treatment at a suitably authorised facility. Orange-lidded sharps units are for sharps that have not been used in the administration of medicines. Orange bags and orange-lidded containers are for non-sharps waste that has been produced from the treatment of infectious patients, or those suspected of having an infection.
Infectious anatomical waste
The red waste stream is used for infectious and non-infectious anatomical waste.
Red-stream waste must be sent for incineration at a suitably authorised facility. Red-lidded containers are used for anatomical waste; it is not a requirement to segregate infectious from non-infectious anatomical wastes as the treatment and disposal method is the same.
Infectious gypsum waste
Gypsum has a high sulphate content. Combining high sulphate content waste with biodegradable waste produces highly toxic and odorous hydrogen sulphide gas. Because of this, gypsum is banned from normal landfill.
Infectious gypsum waste must be incinerated, whereas non-infectious waste can be consigned for recovery.
Frequently asked questions about infectious waste
Infectious waste needs to be disposed of in orange waste bags or containers if it’s non-sharps waste from treating patients who are infectious or suspected of having an infection. Yellow bags should be used for non-sharps infectious waste with chemical or pharmaceutical contamination
Infectious clinical waste should be sorted and placed in the correct colour coded containers, for example, orange bag for non-sharps infectious waste and yellow bag for waste contaminated with medicinal or chemical products. Sorting waste properly helps ensure it’s handled safely and prevents the spread of infections.
An infectious waste bin is a special container (usually an orange or yellow bag) used to safely dispose of materials that are contaminated with harmful pathogens, which can spread diseases to people or animals. These bins are crucial in healthcare settings to help stop infections from spreading and keep everyone safe.
Infectious clinical waste includes things like used medical dressings, swabs, cultures, and sharps that are contaminated with blood or bodily fluids. It's really important to dispose of these items properly to prevent infections from spreading and to keep everyone safe.
Blood may be infectious clinical waste or offensive waste depending on whether it poses a risk of infection. this should be determined by the waste producer following the waste classification process identified in HTM07-01.
Infectious waste includes items that may contain harmful pathogens capable of causing disease. This includes used medical dressings, swabs, and sharps that are contaminated with blood or bodily fluids. Proper disposal of this type of waste is crucial to prevent the spread of infections and protect public health.
Infectious Waste Disposal Near Me
Stericycle provides safe and professional infectious waste disposal services across the UK, with a strong presence in major cities including London, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Hospital, Care Home, Laboratory, Dental or Veterinary Practice, we’ve got you covered with tailored infectious waste disposal solutions in your area.
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