Clinical Waste Bags
Initial's sturdy, tear-resistant and UN-approved clinical waste bags safely store hazardous and non-hazardous clinical waste.
Call us for a free quote on 0800 030 4005
Clinical Waste Disposal
Correct clinical waste management is vital for all businesses. There are stringent clinical waste regulations regarding its segregation, storage and disposal. Initial Medical provide an industry-leading clinical waste management service, as well as specialist products, to provide safe and compliant storage.
Hazardous and non-hazardous waste can be found in any business, but understanding the differences between clinical waste streams can be confusing. Infectious waste requires particular care in order to avoid infection spread in your premises. With Initial Medical, you can rest assured that your clinical waste is fully taken care of.
After completing a site compliance audit to identify and categorise the waste you are producing, our expertly trained consultants will design a bespoke clinical waste collection plan to suit your business. This plan includes advice on the proper segregation of your clinical waste disposal.
Find out more about our trusted clinical waste collection service by reading about our products and services below or contact an Initial expert today for your free survey.
Clinical waste explained
What is Clinical Waste?
Clinical waste is defined in the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992. Clinical waste includes any waste that consists wholly or partly of:
- Syringes, needles or other sharp instruments which, unless rendered safe, may prove hazardous to any person coming into contact with it
- Drugs or other pharmaceutical products
- Swabs or dressings
- Human or animal tissue
- Blood or bodily fluids
- Any other waste arising from medical, dental, pharmaceutical, or other similar healthcare practices
Clinical waste FAQs
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How should clinical waste be disposed of?
In healthcare settings, clinical waste is most commonly disposed of into the orange waste stream where waste is known or suspected to be infectious.
According to clinical waste regulations, the yellow waste stream must be chosen if your waste is known or suspected to be contaminated medicinally or with category A pathogens such as Ebola, Anthrax and HIV (cultures). You can read more about the different waste streams in our colour coding guide.
Your clinical waste collection is sent to a specialist waste facility for incineration, due to the infectious nature of clinical waste.
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Why is clinical waste hazardous?
Much of the medical waste that is produced by healthcare practices is infectious, putting those who come into contact with the waste into possible harm via virus transmission.
Sharps waste poses a particular danger, causing injuries from needles and scalpels that could lead to dangerous infection spread. Read more on the danger of needlestick injuries here.
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Where should clinical waste be stored?
Once filled to three quarters full, your clinical waste bag or rigid container should be stored in a designated locked room or cupboard out of the way of all patients, customers and staff who enter your practice.
If your clinical waste is stored outside, we supply lockable external wheelie bins to keep your waste safe and secure from rodents and other pests.
Correctly storing your clinical waste forms part of your statutory duty of care to safely manage the waste on your premises.
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Who collects my clinical waste?
Your clinical waste is collected by our expert technicians, following clinical waste regulations and local Coronavirus protocols to ensure a safe and compliant clinical waste disposal.
When your clinical waste collections take place, you will be provided with electronic waste management documentation, such as hazardous waste consignment notes and waste transfer notes to keep you compliant with current waste legislation.
For current customers, you can find these electronic documents on myInitial, our online customer portal.