Know your waste categories
Clinical and medical waste must be correctly classified and segregated. The main streams include:
- Sharps — needles and blades, in approved puncture-proof containers.
- Infectious waste — contaminated dressings, PPE and consumables.
- Pharmaceutical & cytotoxic waste — expired or surplus medicines and cytotoxic items.
- Offensive waste — non-infectious but unpleasant materials.
Colour-coded segregation
Healthcare waste in the UK follows a colour-coded bag and container system so each stream is routed to the correct treatment. Getting segregation right at the point of use is both a safety and a cost issue — mixing streams pushes everything to the most expensive disposal route.
Documentation and consignment notes
Hazardous healthcare waste must travel under a Consignment Note, and you must retain records. A compliant carrier provides certified collection and full documentation — as we do for every healthcare client through our medical waste disposal service.
Your responsibilities
Practices remain responsible for correct segregation, safe interim storage and using a licensed carrier. Staff training and clearly labelled containers go a long way to keeping you compliant.
Compliant clinical waste collection
Certified medical and clinical waste disposal for London healthcare providers.
Medical waste disposal Healthcare industry page