Sharps boxes
A sharps bin or box is a specially designed, puncture-resistant container used for the safe disposal of sharp medical instruments.
You should never dispose of hypodermic needles and syringes in household domestic waste, they must always be placed in a sharps box.
A medical professional will prescribe you your sharps boxes. If you self-medicate these can be bought at online stores or pharmacies.
You should return sharps boxes to your medical professional. If this is not possible you can arrange a collection.
We are only able collect sealed yellow sharps boxes. These will be removed by our operatives and not emptied. Should you require further boxes they will need to be purchased or prescribed again.
Clinical waste
You will be advised by your doctor or healthcare professional if you have clinical waste. If you receive medical treatment at home from a healthcare professional they should remove your clinical waste. If this is not possible you can arrange a collection.
Examples include:
• syringes, needles and other sharp instruments
• infectious swabs and dressings
• dialysis products
We will not collect pharmaceuticals, medicines, inhalers or drugs – you can take these to your pharmacy for safe disposal.
Offensive waste
Offensive waste includes:
• incontinence pads
• catheter and stoma bags (drained)
• wound dressings (non-infectious)
• soiled bedding (vomit, human waste)
• sanitary waste
• plasters
• nasal and respiratory secretions
• condoms
• PEG tubes and stomach-feeding equipment
You must bag this waste and put it into your normal household domestic waste bin. It may have an offensive odour or appearance but is not infectious and so doesn’t need separate collection.
If you produce more offensive waste than can be contained in your normal rubbish bin you may be eligible for a larger one. Request a larger rubbish bin here.
Clinical waste from businesses
We do not collect clinical waste from businesses or commercial organisations. You will need to contact a specialist, licensed waste contractor.