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Clinical waste collection
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- Fast quotes for clinical waste collection
- Best prices on clinical waste collection
- Reliable clinical waste collection
How our clinical waste collection service works
Businesses in healthcare, dentistry, beauty, and other sectors produce clinical waste that must be handled and disposed of safely. Our reliable clinical waste collection service gives you peace of mind and lets you focus on running your business.
Here’s how to get started:
Enter your postcode
Enter your postcode above and tell us about your clinical waste collection needs, including the type of waste and how often you need collections.
Review your quote
Our experts will review the details and prepare a bespoke quote based on your collection frequency, bin size requirements, and location.
Sign your contract
Once you’re happy with the quote, sign your clinical waste collection contract to activate your service and schedule your collections.
Why use us for clinical waste collection
Handling clinical waste doesn’t need to be time-consuming or expensive. Our clinical waste collection service connects you with trusted providers to ensure your business stays compliant and gets great value.
Start today by entering your postcode above to find a reliable clinical waste collection service in your area.
Nationwide service coverage
We provide clinical waste collection across the whole of the UK, so businesses of all sizes can access dependable, professional services wherever they’re based.
Trusted provider network
We only work with experienced and reputable clinical waste providers, so you can be confident your waste is handled safely and in line with all regulations.
Competitive pricing
Our team prepares bespoke quotes based on your waste needs, helping you get the best value without compromising on reliability or compliance.
Benefits of clinical waste collection
Using a professional clinical waste collection service gives you peace of mind that your waste is being handled safely, efficiently and in full compliance with the law. Here are the key benefits:
Stay compliant with waste regulations
Trusted clinical waste providers ensure your business meets all legal and healthcare-specific waste requirements, including documentation in line with NHS guidelines like HTM 07-05.
Expert waste audits
Before collections begin, providers can carry out a pre-acceptance clinical waste audit, to assess your waste types and volumes. This helps ensure your clinical waste is managed correctly from day one.
Safe storage and segregation
You’ll be supplied with the right clinical waste bins, bags and containers, all clearly labelled to help your team separate waste types safely and correctly.
Reliable collections
Clinical waste is collected using dedicated vehicles that operate on regular schedules. These fleets transport waste to authorised treatment or energy recovery facilities.
Responsible waste disposal
Most clinical waste is safely incinerated, turning it into renewable energy in a controlled environment. This protects the environment while ensuring full legal compliance.
Staff training and guidance
Our providers offer on-site staff training and support to help you reduce waste and improve handling, all aligned with the waste hierarchy and best practice guidelines.
Common types of clinical waste
Clinical waste is defined under the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012 as waste produced from healthcare activities that may pose a risk of infection or contain hazardous substances. This includes:
- Infectious waste: Items contaminated with blood or bodily fluids, including swabs, dressings, and disposable PPE.
- Sharps: Needles, syringes, and blades, whether contaminated or not.
- Anatomical waste: Body parts, tissues, organs, and blood bags.
- Medicinal waste: Expired medicines, pharmaceutical products, and cytotoxic or cytostatic drugs.
- Chemical waste: Disinfectants, solvents, or other hazardous and non-hazardous substances used in healthcare.
- Dental waste: Including amalgam from fillings or other mercury-containing materials.
Common healthcare waste codes include
Here is a summary of the waste classification codes associated with the UK healthcare sector.
| Waste Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 18 01 01 | Sharps (except 18 01 03) |
| 18 01 02 | Body parts and organs including blood bags and blood preserves (except 18 01 03) |
| 18 01 03 | Wastes whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection |
| 18 01 04 | Wastes whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection (for example dressings, plaster casts, linen, disposable clothing, diapers) |
| 18 01 06 | Chemicals consisting of or containing hazardous substances |
| 18 01 07 | Chemicals other than those mentioned in 18 01 06 |
| 18 01 08 | Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines |
| 18 01 09 | Medicines other than those mentioned in 18 01 08 |
| 18 01 10 | Amalgam waste from dental care |
Clinical waste audits
The Environment Agency requires all clinical waste producers to complete a valid clinical waste audit before waste collection begins. This audit helps your provider identify the waste types you generate and plan the right storage, collection, and disposal methods. All trusted providers we work with include a pre-acceptance audit as part of their onboarding process.
Types of audits available
There are three main ways to carry out a clinical waste audit:
Self-audit: Small clinics can complete an online audit form, which is reviewed remotely by a waste specialist.
Provider-led audit: Your waste provider can conduct the audit on-site during setup.
Independent audit: Larger facilities may use a specialist audit firm for an annual review.
Your provider will recommend the right type based on the size and complexity of your site.
What a clinical waste audit evaluates
A clinical waste audit assesses:
- Waste types, classification, and volumes
- Where the waste is produced (e.g. departments or wards)
- Container types, colour coding, and labelling
- Hazardous properties and storage methods
How often audits are required
Clinical waste audits must be conducted at least as frequently as:
Every year: Medical practices producing over 5 tonnes of waste
Every two years: Dentists, vets, or labs producing under 5 tonnes
Every five years: Other small producers
Any time: When on-site practices change significantly
Clinical waste bins
Proper clinical waste bins are essential for safe storage and legal compliance. NHS guidelines recommend clear labelling, colour coding, and secure storage before collection. Here’s what you need to know:
Point of waste generation
Use small clinical waste bins to safely collect waste where it’s produced, such as treatment rooms or wards.
- Bins must be colour-coded to match the type of waste (e.g. yellow for infectious waste, purple for cytotoxic).
- All containers must be labelled with the waste type and point of origin.
- Sharps bins are required for needles and any items that can pierce the skin.
- Do not overfill clinical waste bins.
- Never compress bags inside the bins as this increases risk of exposure.
Secure on-site storage
Once collected in smaller bins, clinical waste must be stored in a designated secure area that is:
- Away from public access
- Clearly marked for clinical waste only
- Accessible for your waste provider’s collection vehicles
Healthcare providers are legally responsible for correct storage, packaging and labelling before handover to a licensed waste carrier.
Commercial waste bin provision
Your clinical waste provider will supply large commercial waste bins for each category of waste you produce. These bins must be:
- Clearly labelled for specific waste types
- Stored safely in your designated collection area
- Ready for scheduled pickup by authorised waste carriers
Waste providers are required by law to refuse collection if bins are not labelled or stored properly.
Clinical waste collection near you
We help healthcare businesses across the UK arrange safe, compliant clinical waste services through trusted providers. Here are some of the most popular locations for clinical waste collection:
Clinical waste collection Manchester
Get fast, compliant Manchester commercial waste collection for sharps, pharmaceutical and infectious waste. Ideal for clinics, dentists and care homes.
Clinical waste collection Cardiff
Our trusted providers deliver reliable Cardiff commercial waste collection for all types of clinical waste, from anatomical to cytotoxic materials.
Clinical waste collection Leeds
We support healthcare businesses with flexible Leeds commercial waste collection plans, all fully compliant with HTM 07-05 and local regulations.
Clinical waste collection Liverpool
Need trusted Liverpool commercial waste collection for your practice? We’ll connect you with licensed providers for safe and secure clinical waste disposal.
Clinical waste collection Birmingham
Efficient and affordable Birmingham commercial waste collection for healthcare providers across the city, from small clinics to large hospitals.
Clinical waste collection Bristol
Arrange dependable Bristol commercial waste collection for clinical waste, with secure containers, regular pickups, and full legal compliance.
Clinical waste disposal methods
When clinical waste is collected from UK businesses, your provider will issue a waste transfer note for compliance and traceability. Licensed waste firms then dispose of the waste using one of the following approved methods:
Clinical waste incineration
Most clinical waste is safely incinerated at high temperatures in energy recovery facilities. This process meets Environment Agency standards and allows energy to be recovered from suitable waste types.
Sewage treatment
Some liquid clinical waste can be disposed of via the sewer system, but only with the correct trade effluent consent from your local wastewater company.
Landfill
Landfill is used as a final option where incineration or sewage disposal isn’t suitable. Only certain non-recoverable clinical waste types are sent to landfills, in line with strict disposal regulations.
Clinical waste collection FAQs
Our commercial waste experts answer those commonly asked questions regarding clinical waste collection.
Why is proper clinical waste disposal important?
The proper disposal of clinical waste is crucial for several reasons, but primarily, it safeguards healthcare workers, patients, and the wider community from infections, injuries, and diseases. Clinical waste frequently contains potentially harmful microorganisms that can propagate disease if not managed correctly.
The comprehensive laws and regulations governing the management of clinical waste are designed to protect healthcare workers, the community, and the environment from the risks associated with poorly managed clinical waste disposal.
Are there any sustainable clinical waste disposal options?
The clinical waste collection providers we collaborate with are all obligated to comply with the waste hierarchy, which aims to minimise the use of landfills in clinical waste disposal.
Recently, waste disposal providers have made significant efforts to reduce carbon emissions associated with clinical waste by utilising energy recovery facilities more extensively.
What are the clinical waste disposal regulations?
Clinical waste disposal in the UK is governed by several regulations, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005, and the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012.
These laws require healthcare businesses to correctly classify, store, and dispose of clinical waste using licensed carriers. To remain compliant, you must also keep records such as waste transfer notes and carry out clinical waste audits.
Who regulates clinical waste collection?
Clinical waste collection is regulated by the Environment Agency in England, Natural Resources Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
These bodies ensure that waste carriers, treatment facilities, and producers meet legal requirements around waste handling, storage, and disposal.
Do I need a sharps disposal bin?
Yes, if your business generates needles, syringes, or any items that can puncture the skin, you are legally required to use a dedicated sharps bin.
These bins must be rigid, puncture-proof, and clearly labelled. Sharps waste is classified as clinical waste and must be collected and disposed of by a licensed provider.