How to identify hazardous clinical waste
Household healthcare waste can be offensive hygiene waste which should be disposed of with other dustbin rubbish but must be securely wrapped before being deposited. However, it can also be hazardous clinical waste which must be collected separately from other waste and is only collected by arrangement upon request.
The table details the types of healthcare waste which are hazardous clinical waste requiring separate collection.
| Offensive hygiene waste | Clinical waste |
|
Minor first aid and self care waste e.g. plasters |
Human or animal tissue |
| Nappies |
Blood or other bodily fluids |
| Sanitary products | Excretions |
| Incontinence pads | Incontinence pads where the user has an infectious disease |
| Animal faeces | Drugs or other pharmaceutical products |
| Condoms | Swabs or dressings |
| Soiled animal bedding | Syringes, needles or other sharp instruments |
| Stoma bags | Any other healthcare related waste, which may cause infection to a person coming into contact with it |
Example: Incontinence pads
How to dispose of incontinence pads will vary depending on whether they are infectious or not.
Incontinence pads are classed as clinical waste only if the resident producing them is suffering from an infectious disease.
View guidance on managing your household healthcare waste.