Clinical waste disposal - domestic

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North

About this service

How should I dispose of sharps?

The safest way to dispose of sharps is to put them in a sharps box. This will then be collected from you as part of our new specialist collection service.

How do I dispose of the filled sharps box?

If your GP surgery or pharmacy can no longer accept your full sharps box, you can register for a new free collection service operated by Wiltshire Council. This service will cover the whole of Wiltshire, excluding Swindon.

Do I have to register for the new collection service?

Yes. You must register for the collection of your sharps by phoning or emailing. The number and email are listed below under Contact Details.

More information, advice and help is also available on this helpline number.  To complete a clinical waste collection form, go to the East Wiltshire information page.

How do I get a sharps box?

You will need to continue getting a prescription from your GP, and collect the box from your local pharmacist. These one litre boxes allow for the safe disposal of your sharps. You should request two boxes to allow for a spare

What can I put in my sharps box?

All used needles, lancets, syringes or empty insulin cartridges must be disposed of in your sharps box. Disposable pens can be disposed of in domestic waste so long as the needle has been removed and disposed of in your sharps box. Anyone using an insulin pump should dispose of the infusion set, which includes the needle, into the sharps box.

How do I use my sharps box safely?

It is really important that the sharps box is never overfilled. Please observe the manufacturer's guidelines on the box, and fill only to the mark indicated.

Using Sharps Safely

Do not place sharps boxes on the floor or anywhere that children, people with confusion or pets might be placed at risk of infection or serious injury. Keep all your needles, lancets and glucose monitoring equipment clean, bloodstain free and out of reach of children at all times. Never share syringes, finger pricking devices, lancets or insulin pen devices.

Contact Details

Email: customerserviceseast@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01380 734849
Postal Address:
Kennet House
Sergeant Rogers Way
Hopton Industrial Estate
Devizes
SN10 2ET
In Person:
Wiltshire Council
Monkton Park
Chippenham
SN15 1ER

Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?

South

About this service

If the clinical waste is contagious or infectious, the patient's doctor can request the Council to make a separate collection by contacting Environmental Services.

Clinical waste does not include dressings or colostomy bags, which should be double-bagged and put out with household refuse as usual.

Sharps boxes, containing used needles, can be collected by the Council if the needles have been prescribed by the patients doctor. The boxes are supplied by the doctor and not the Council. To arrange a collection contact Environmental Services.

Contact Details

Email: customerserviceseast@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01380 734849
Postal Address:
Kennet House
Sergeant Rogers Way
Hopton Industrial Estate
Devizes
SN10 2ET
In Person:
Wiltshire Council
27-29 Milford Street
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 2AP

Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?

East

About this service

Please follow this link to fill out a Clinical Waste collection form

What is classified as clinical waste and how do you get rid of it?

What is clinical waste?

Any waste that may cause infection to any person coming into contact with it. These types of waste can include swabs, dressings, syringes, any thing containing human or animal tissue etc.

Can I put nappies out for waste collection?

Yes. Nappies and incontinence pads are classified as a low grade waste, and these wastes can be accepted at the Council’s landfill sites. Alternatively you could use cotton re-usable nappies.

What happens if I produce more than a bag of clinical waste a week?

The Council would have to investigate why so much waste is being produced. If it is found that it is due to a commercial operation i.e. a nursing home, nursery etc, it will charge for the collection of this waste.

Can the Council charge for clinical waste collection?

Yes. No matter what the quantity of clinical waste the Council can charge for its collection. However the Council’s current policy is to only charge for non-domestic waste.

Does this mean that clinical waste produced on a domestic property, if less than a bag, is taken to landfill?

No. Clinical wastes such as swabs, dialysis bags etc, no matter how small the quantity, will be incinerated.

When does the Council collect clinical waste for incineration?

Every Tuesday for the East Wiltshire area.

How about syringes and needles etc?

The Council can arrange for the collection of these wastes but it will charge commercial businesses for the service. Any person requiring to dispose of sharps (needles etc) should contact the Council for advise on disposal.

Am I allowed to put dead pets out for ordinary collection?

No. Dead animals must be incinerated.

Why have I seen the Council pick up dead animals and put them in the back of an ordinary waste collection vehicle?

The Council is given certain exemptions when it comes to disposing of dead animals on land for which it is responsible. Animals that are killed on the road are picked up as litter and refuse and disposed of as such.

How do I arrange for the Council to collect clinical waste?

Use the link at the top of the page to complete an application form.

Contact Details

Email: customerserviceseast@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01380 734849
Postal Address:
Kennet House
Sergeant Rogers Way
Hopton Industrial Estate
Devizes
SN10 2ET
In Person:
Wiltshire Council
Browfort
Bath Road
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 2AT

Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?

West

About this service

For a leaflet about the sharps collection service click here

How should I dispose of sharps (ie needles and syringes)?

The safest way to dispose of sharps is to put them in a sharps box, provided and collected by Wiltshire Council.

How do I dispose of the full sharps box?

If your GP surgery or pharmacy can no longer accept your full sharps box, you can register for a free collection service operated by Wiltshire Council.

Do I have to register for the new collection service?

Yes. You must register for the collection of your sharps box by phoning us or alternatively fill in the online form.

More information, advice and help is also available on this helpline number and on the website.

How do I get a sharps box?

You will need to get a prescription from your GP, and collect the box from your local pharmacist. These one litre bins allow for the safe disposal of your sharps. You should request two boxes to allow for a spare.

What can I put in my sharps box?

All used needles, lancets, syringes or empty insulin cartridges must be disposed of in your sharps box. Disposable pens can be disposed of in domestic waste as long as the needle has been removed and disposed of in your sharps box. Anyone using an insulin pump should dispose of the infusion set, which includes the needle, into the sharps box.

How do I use my sharps box safely?

It is really important that the sharps box is never overfilled. You should observe the manufacturer's guidelines on the box, and fill only to the mark indicated.

Using sharps safely

• Do not place sharps boxes on the floor or anywhere that children, people with confusion or pets might be placed at risk of infection or serious injury.
• Keep all your needles, lancets and glucose monitoring equipment clean, bloodstain free and out of reach of children at all times.
• Never share syringes, finger pricking devices, lancets or insulin pen devices. NEVER dispose of sharps in household waste

Contact Details

Email: customerserviceseast@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01380 734849
Postal Address:
Kennet House
Sergeant Rogers Way
Hopton Industrial Estate
Devizes
SN10 2ET
In Person:
Wiltshire Council
Bradley Road
Trowbridge
BA14 0RD

Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?