Non-hazardous clinical waste
Non-hazardous clinical waste must be bagged and put into your normal household domestic waste bin. This waste can have an offensive odour or appearance but is not infectious and so doesn’t need separate collection.
Non-hazardous clinical waste includes:
- incontinence pads
- catheter and stoma bags (drained)
- wound dressings (non-infectious)
- soiled bedding (vomit, human waste)
- nappies
- sanitary waste
- plasters
- nasal and respiratory secretions
- condoms
- PEG tubes and stomach-feeding equipment
Hazardous clinical waste
You will be advised by your doctor or healthcare professional if you have hazardous clinical waste.
Examples can include:
- syringes, needles other sharp instruments
- swabs and dressings – infectious
- dialysis products
We will not collect pharmaceuticals or drugs; you can take these to your pharmacy.
Clinical waste disposal is managed by former district and borough council waste collection teams. You can use our town and village lookup tool to find out who to contact about clinical waste disposal in your area.
Sharps - needles and syringes
Hypodermic needles and syringes should never be disposed of in a household domestic waste. You should put them in a sharps box. These can be prescribed by your GP. They should be returned to the prescribing doctor’s surgery for disposal when full.
Clinical waste from businesses
We do not collect clinical waste from businesses or commercial organisations. You’ll need to contact a specialist, licensed waste contractor.