It depends on the kind of pharmaceutical waste you produce. Non-hazardous pharmaceuticals can be disposed of in blue containers. Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines are disposed of in purple containers.
Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal
What is Pharmaceutical Waste?
Pharmaceutical waste is any waste which contains medicinal drugs that are expired, unused, contaminated, damaged or no longer needed.
This specialised category of waste poses unique environmental and health challenges due to the potential for contamination and the need for proper disposal methods. Stericycle ensures responsible and compliant pharmaceutical waste disposal, safeguarding both the environment and public well-being.
Over 30 Years Experience in Pharmaceutical Waste Management
With an illustrious 35 year track record, Stericycle stands as a trusted leader in delivering comprehensive clinical waste solutions across diverse sectors. Explore the distinctive qualities that define our service and uncover the compelling reasons behind our unrivalled commitment.
Safe, Compliant, and Efficient
Stericycle’s pharmaceutical waste solutions are designed for facilities to efficiently manage pharmaceutical waste. Our comprehensive services include waste categorisation, staff training, and ongoing support for your team members to help ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
Industry Leader
We collect and dispose of all pharmaceutical waste bins, containing out-of-date pharmaceuticals, controlled drugs destruction kits, cytotoxic and cytostatic waste and recalled pharmaceutical stock.
Protecting the Environment and Your Communities
Stericycle was a pioneer of eco-conscious pharmaceutical waste disposal and to this day, we’re committed to the innovation of new products and services to help our customers reach their sustainability goals.
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Explore Our Range of Pharmaceutical Waste Bins
Blue Pharmaceutical Waste Bins
For non-hazardous medicinal products and items contaminated with non-hazardous medicines
The blue waste stream is used for waste medicinal products that are not cytotoxic or cytostatic.
The blue pharmaceutical waste bins must be sent for incineration at a suitably authorised facility. Blue-lidded containers are for any waste which contains non-hazardous medicinal drugs that are expired, unused, contaminated, damaged, denatured or no long needed.
Purple Pharmaceutical Waste Bins
For hazardous medicinal products and items contaminated with non-hazardous medicines.
The purple waste stream is used for any waste contaminated by hazardous cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines (e.g. chemotherapy drugs and birth control).
The purple pharmaceutical waste bins must be sent for above 1,000 degree incineration at a suitably authorised facility. Purple-lidded sharps units are for sharps that have been used in the administration of, or are contaminated by, hazardous cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines. Purple-lidded containers are for any non-sharp waste contaminated with cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines, or hazardous drugs in their original packaging or blister packs, or denatured.
Denaturing kits
Denaturing kits are used for the safe disposal of old medicines, including controlled drugs, that are in tablet, powder, liquid or ampoule form.
Once used, the kits can be disposed of in the relevant colour-coded container: blue pharmaceutical waste bins for denatured non-hazardous medicines and purple pharmaceutical waste bins for denatured hazardous medicines.
Discover More Pharmaceutical Waste Solutions
Frequently asked questions about pharmaceutical waste
In NHS facilities, blue waste bins are used to safely dispose of non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste, like expired or unused medicines.
Pharmaceutical waste can be disposed of in different streams, depending on the type of pharmaceutical waste. The Blue Waste bin is used for non hazardous medicines and medicinal products. The Purple Waste bin is used for Cytotoxic and Cytostatic medicines - hazardous medicinal products and items contaminated with hazardous medicines. Controlled drugs should also be denatured before disposal.
Pharmaceutical waste refers to expired, unused, contaminated, damaged, or surplus medications, vaccines, and drugs. Disposing of them properly is crucial to protect the environment and ensure public safety.
Guidelines for the safe disposal of pharmaceuticals focus on sorting waste into the right containers based on type. Non-hazardous medicines belong in blue waste bins, while hazardous or cytotoxic items need separate disposal. Controlled drugs should also be denatured before disposal.
A denaturing kit is used for the safe disposal of old medicines that are in tablet, powder, liquid or ampoule form. The can then be disposed of in either the Blue lidded or Purple lidded container, depending on whether the substance is non-hazardous or cytotoxic.
The term cytotoxic is used mainly to describe a substance that can cause harm to or damage to cells. Cytotoxic waste must be properly segregated for disposal by high temperature incineration.
