We provide free collections of certain types of clinical waste from residents of domestic properties.
If a health professional treats you at home, it is the responsibility of your health professional to take away any clinical waste (non-sharp items), for example, dressings, that result from that specific treatment.
If you are treating yourself at home, then clinical waste will be collected by us. The following types of waste do not require a separate collection and can be disposed of with your general rubbish. Please ensure the following items are placed in a securely tied bag in your general rubbish container:
- Home dialysis kits
- Incontinence pads
- Medical packaging
- Nappies and sanitary items
- Peg/stomach feeding items
- Stoma or catheter bags
- Ulcer and other dressings
If you produce a large volume of this type of waste, it might be possible for you to have an additional wheeled bin. View the new/replacement bin page for further information and how to apply for one.
Any sharp items that are used as part of medical treatment at home should be placed into a sharps container, in the home, straight after use. Never try to take them out again. Only fill the bin to where it says 'Do not fill above this line'. Keep your sharps bin in a safe place so it's not a risk to other people and is out of the sight and reach of children.
Sharps items include:
- Blood sugar test needles and strips
- Glass insulin vials
- Insulin pumps
- Needles, injection cartridges and needle clippers
- Injection pens
- Short plastic feeding tubes
- Used and unwanted medical syringes
- Other contaminated medical items
Order a sharps and clinical waste container
Do not use other bins
Do not put used needles or other sharps in:
- any type of household bin (for example, a general rubbish bin or a recycling bin)
- a container that's no longer needed, such as a drink can or bottle
Needles can cause injuries. Used needles can carry blood-borne viruses that may be passed on to other people.
Collection schedule
Sharps collections and deliveries of replacement containers are made on a Monday and are subject to a limit of 60 properties.
Your scheduled collection day will be emailed to you. If you do not have an email address please call our customer support team on 01803 701310 Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.
Bank Holiday Mondays are not affected and these collections will continue as normal.
If your container has not been collected by 6pm on the scheduled collection day, you can report a missed collection.
In all cases, waste containers are for the collection of household waste materials only and should not be requested for any other purpose.
Drugs or other pharmaceutical products
These items should be returned to your pharmacist for disposal.