What happens to clinical waste after it is collected?
After it is collected, clinical waste is tracked, transported by a registered carrier and treated by incineration or an approved alternative before final disposal. This chain is part of licensed clinical waste disposal and is governed by a legal duty of care from the point the waste is produced.
How is clinical waste classified and colour coded?
Clinical waste is classified by hazard and colour coded so it is handled correctly at every stage. Orange-lidded and orange-bagged waste is infectious waste for treatment, yellow is infectious or medicinal waste for incineration, yellow and black offensive waste is non-infectious hygiene waste, and purple is cytotoxic and cytostatic waste, with sharps in rigid puncture-proof bins.
What is the duty of care?
The duty of care is the legal requirement that everyone in the waste chain handles, stores and transfers waste responsibly, and it applies from the moment the waste is produced. Each transfer is recorded on a waste transfer or consignment note so the waste can be traced from source to final treatment, which is enforced by the Environment Agency.
How is clinical waste treated?
Clinical waste is treated by high-temperature incineration or by approved alternative treatment that renders it safe, depending on the waste type. Sharps and much infectious waste follow this route, and the same registered carriers handle the waste from needle and sharps clearance as from other biohazard work.
Why does this matter for a cleaning job?
This matters for a cleaning job because a contractor removing clinical or hazardous waste must be a registered waste carrier and must complete the correct paperwork, or the person who produced the waste can remain liable. Using a properly licensed specialist means the waste is disposed of lawfully with the paperwork handled for you.
Need help now?
HazRestore answers 24 hours a day, discreetly and fully insured.