Call us for a free quote on +448083011658
Sharps Bin & Sharps Box Service
Sharps bins are essential for the safe disposal of used needles and other sharps to prevent injury. Initial Medical’s sharps bin disposal service provides safe storage and disposal for all categories of sharps waste. Our range of bins is UN-approved, colour coded, and available in various sizes to meet your business requirements and ensure waste is segregated correctly before collection.
Chat Online
Available 24/7
Chat Now
Types of Sharps Bins
Sharps bins come in various types to accommodate different needs and environments:
Orange Sharps Bins
- Orange lidded sharps bins are for the storage and disposal of sharps that do not contain or are not contaminated with medicinal products or their residues.
- These containers are commonly used in the healthcare industry to dispose of sharps items used during operations and syringes used to take blood samples.
- These may also be required in private practice for beauty treatments such as acupuncture, podiatry, and tattoo inking requiring sharps disposal, or where sharps are used in the manufacturing processes.
Yellow Sharps Bins
- Yellow lidded sharps bins are for the storage and disposal of sharps containing or contaminated with medicinal products and their residues, such as needles used to give injections.
- Not all medicinal products can be disposed into yellow lidded bins; those with cytotoxic and cytostatic properties must be placed into the purple lidded bins.
Purple Sharps Bins
- Purple lidded sharps bins are for the storage and disposal of sharps contaminated with cytotoxic or cytostatic medicines.
- For example, needles or syringes used to treat patients with cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs would need to be disposed into a purple lidded bin.
- Because of the hazardous nature of these sharps instruments, the purple waste stream is usually treated by high-temperature incineration and must therefore be kept as a separate waste stream.
Recycled plastic in our products - a sustainable change
Thanks to the application of post-consumer recycled resin (PCR) into our sharps bins during manufacture, our sharps containers now include at least 40% recycled plastic, reaching 46%. This is managed without impacting upon safety, remaining fully compliant with UN3291 and ISO 23907-1:2019 standards.
In the process, the bodies of our sharps containers have changed to a new, darker shade, reflecting how we are championing sustainable solutions alongside our UK suppliers.
It has never been more important to look for sustainable solutions in all areas of your practice. We are delighted to help you on your journey to reduce your dependence on virgin plastic, which requires crude oil in its manufacture, by using our eco sharps bins.
Would you like to know how else we are taking action to build a sustainable healthcare waste service? Click here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sharps Bins
-
How often should sharps bins be disposed of?
Following NHS guidelines, sharps bins should be disposed of every three months, as an infection control measure. To ensure their safe disposal, all sharps bins must be fully closed before reaching three-quarters full. Depending on your sharp waste output, we can provide additional bins and tailor the frequency of your service.
-
Where and how should sharps bins be stored?
With safety in mind, you must keep your sharps bins on a temporary lock in between uses of the container to prevent the risk of sharps injuries. Once three quarters full, your sharps bins must be fully locked and stored in a secure storage area in accordance with the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012.
Your storage area must be locked at all times and your sharps bins should be segregated from other healthcare waste products in your practice. -
How to open a closed sharps container?
If the sharps bins are on a temporary lock, simply open the disposal door to dispose of the sharps. However, once fully closed the sharps bin becomes fully sealed and there is no way to open them. Should this happen we can collect your sharps bin and provide you with a new one.
-
How can I restrict access to sharps bins whilst in use?
Best practice is to keep your sharps bin on a temporary lock whilst not in use.
Where extra precautions need to be taken, we also provide Safer Sharps Cabinets. These welded steel cabinets remove access to sharps containers whilst in use. They are particularly useful in high-risk environments, such as drug rehabilitation centres. -
Where to get a Sharps Bin for Personal Sharp Use ?
You can obtain sharps bins from several sources, including:
- Via prescription from pharmacies
- Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices may provide sharps bins to patients.
- Local council and healthcare provider: Contact your local council for information on sharps disposal programs in your area to prevent injuries, reduce the risk of infections, and protect the environment.