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 is waste that is hazardous to any person or animal that comes into contact with it.
Different types of infectious waste require different methods of disposal. You can find out more about which are the relevant containers for the type of infectious waste here
Waste can be disposed of in different types of bags and infectious waste containers. You can find out more information on infectious waste bags here.
Infectious waste is potentially hazardous to those who come in contact with it and needs either treatment to render safe prior to disposal or incineration. Non-infectious waste is not hazardous to those who come in contact with it and is suitable for direct disposal or recycling.
Different bags can be used for different types of infectious waste. You can find out which bags are suitable for the relevant type of waste here..
