What Is Cytotoxic Waste? Safe Disposal, Examples & Bins

Cytotoxic waste is one of the most dangerous types of clinical waste handled in healthcare settings, but what exactly qualifies as cytotoxic, and how should it be dealt with?

From the risks it poses to the strict regulations that govern its disposal, this guide explores everything you need to know. We’ll cover real-world examples, the importance of purple-lidded sharps bins, and what safe, compliant disposal looks like in practice.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes this waste stream so critical and how to manage it safely:

What Is Cytotoxic Waste?

Cytotoxic waste refers to any material that contains, or has been contaminated by, cytotoxic or cytostatic medicines. These substances are typically used in cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. While highly effective at targeting abnormal cell growth, they are also extremely hazardous to healthy human tissue and the environment if not managed properly.

This type of waste includes not only the unused medication, but also any item that has come into contact with it. Common examples include gloves, IV tubing, syringes, dressings, and other materials used during the preparation or administration of treatment.

In the UK, cytotoxic waste is classified as hazardous and is regulated under HTM 07-01. Healthcare providers are required to segregate, store, and dispose of this waste stream separately from other clinical waste types to ensure compliance and safety.

Cytotoxic materials are known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction. Because of these risks, understanding what qualifies as cytotoxic waste is essential for anyone working in healthcare or waste management.

Now that we’ve defined cytotoxic waste, let’s explore some common examples found in healthcare settings.

Examples of Cytotoxic Waste in Healthcare

Cytotoxic waste is most commonly associated with cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy, where powerful drugs are used to target and destroy cancerous cells. However, it also includes any item contaminated during the handling, administration, or disposal of these substances.

Typical examples of cytotoxic waste found in healthcare settings include:

• Unused or expired cytotoxic and cytostatic drugs
  These are often chemotherapy medications used in oncology departments that are no longer needed, expired, or left over in vials, syringes, or ampoules.
  
  

• Contaminated sharps
  Needles, cannulas, and scalpels used during chemotherapy treatment or drug preparation fall under this category.
  
  

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  Gloves, gowns, and masks worn by healthcare workers administering chemotherapy or handling cytotoxic medicines are considered hazardous once contaminated.
  
  

• IV sets, tubing, and drip bags
  Used in the delivery of chemotherapy drugs, these items typically retain trace amounts of cytotoxic substances after use.
  
  

• Wipes, swabs, and dressings
  Often used during and after treatment, these may be contaminated with cytotoxic residues from patient care or clean-up procedures.
  
  

• Bodily fluids and waste from treated patients
  In some cases, urine, faeces, or vomit from patients recently treated with chemotherapy can be cytotoxic for a certain period (typically up to 7 days depending on the medication), requiring special handling.

   

  These items are commonly found in oncology wards, chemotherapy units, hospital pharmacies, and even in community or home-based cancer care.

Why Safe Disposal Matters

Cytotoxic waste is not only hazardous, it is also highly regulated. 

These substances are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction, meaning even small traces can pose serious health risks to healthcare workers, patients, waste handlers, and the environment.

Improper disposal of cytotoxic waste can lead to:

1. Risk to staff
   Staff who prepare or handle contaminated materials risk skin absorption, inhalation, or accidental needlestick injuries if waste is not properly contained and labelled.
   
   

2. Environmental contamination
   Cytotoxic drugs can remain active even in trace amounts, posing long-term risks if they enter water systems or soil through landfill or untreated disposal routes.
   
   

3. Legal consequences
   In the UK, healthcare providers must manage cytotoxic waste in line with regulations such as HTM 07-01, the Hazardous Waste Regulations, and COSHH. Failure to comply can result in fines, reputational damage, or harm to public health.

    

When waste is this harmful, handling it correctly isn’t optional, it’s essential. So how should cytotoxic waste be disposed of in a healthcare setting?

How to Dispose of Cytotoxic Waste Safely

Cytotoxic waste must be handled with extreme care from the moment it is generated to the point of final disposal. In UK healthcare settings, this process is tightly controlled to protect people, the environment, and to ensure legal compliance.

Here’s how to dispose of cytotoxic waste safely and correctly:

• Segregate at the point of use
  Waste should be identified and separated immediately after it is generated. This prevents cross-contamination and ensures it enters the correct waste stream.
  
  

• Use the correct containers
  Cytotoxic waste must be placed in containers with a purple lid or purple bag. This colour identifies the waste as cytotoxic and ensures it is treated accordingly during collection and disposal.
  
  

• Label clearly
  All containers must be properly labelled with details of the waste type, date, and origin (e.g. ward or department). This supports traceability and safe handling throughout the disposal chain.
  
  

• Store safely
  Until collection, cytotoxic waste should be stored in a secure area that is clearly marked and accessible only to authorised personnel.
  
  

• Arrange for specialist collection and treatment
  Cytotoxic waste must be collected by a licensed clinical waste provider, such as Stericycle, and treated via high-temperature incineration to neutralise its hazardous properties.

Discover Stericycle’s processes today!

• Train all staff involved
  Everyone who handles, prepares, or disposes of cytotoxic waste should receive appropriate training to understand the risks and follow the correct procedures.
  
  Learn how the Stericycle E-learning system can help your organisation stay compliant!

What Is a Cytotoxic Sharps Bin?

A cytotoxic sharps bin is a rigid, puncture-resistant container used to safely dispose of sharp items that have been contaminated with cytotoxic or cytostatic substances. These containers are essential in chemotherapy units, oncology wards, pharmacies, and any setting where cytotoxic medicines are handled.

These bins are:

• Purple-lidded, following UK colour coding for cytotoxic waste
  
  

• Leak-proof and puncture-resistant, designed to prevent injuries and leaks
  
  

• Clearly labelled, to ensure safe handling and compliant disposal
  
  

• UN-approved, meeting the required standards for hazardous healthcare waste transport
  
  

Items commonly disposed of in cytotoxic sharps bins include:

• Used needles and syringes from chemotherapy administration
  
  

• Scalpels and blades contaminated with cytotoxic drugs
  
  

• Other sharp instruments used in cancer treatment procedures
  
  

Once sealed, the bin must be collected by a licensed waste contractor and treated via high-temperature incineration. Stericycle offers a full range of compliant, purple-lidded sharps bins for cytotoxic waste, suitable for all clinical environments where safe disposal is critical.

Stericycle’s Cytotoxic Waste Disposal Solutions