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There are some types of waste you can't put in your household or recycling bins, clinical waste is one of them. On this page we tell you what clinical waste is, and how to dispose of it.
What is clinical waste and who is responsible for it
Clinical waste is any healthcare waste that may cause disease or contains medicine or fluids. If you produce clinical waste you may be responsible for disposing of it.
You can also find out how to return unwanted medical items on this page. See returning medical equipment for more information.
The council offer a free collection to residents who need to dispose of clinical waste from their home. This includes sharp items (needles, syringes etc) and infectious items See how to arrange for clinical waste collection.
Your healthcare professional will advise you if the waste you produce is clinical waste. They should provide training if required.
If you are treated in your home by a nurse they should dispose of any clinical waste. It will normally be returned to the NHS for disposal. Any other waste produced can be put in your household waste bin.
Containers for disposal of clinical waste
If you treat yourself at home you will need different types of containers. For waste classed as 'sharps' (needles and syringes for example), you will need a 'sharps box'. For items like dressings and swabs, you will need a special orange bag.
If you are disposing of things like needles or syringes (sharps) they must be in a 'sharps box'. You can get these from your GP.
Once in the sharps box, needles and sharps are safe to be handled and stored.
Make sure that boxes are not overfilled and that they are secure, ready for collection.
What can you put in your sharps box
Waste item
Can it go in the sharps box
Needles
Yes
Lancets
Yes
Syringes
Yes
Empty insulin cartridges
Yes
Insulin pump infusion sets
Yes
Needles from disposable pens
Yes
Disposable pens without the needle
No
Dialysis waste
No
Swabs
No
Soiled dressings
No
Incontinence pads
No
Nappies
No
Catheter bags
No
Sanitary products
No
Emptied stoma bags or pouches
No
Disposable bed pans
No
Pressurised containers or aerosols
No
Empty tablet blister packs
No
Unused medication
No
Inhalers
No
If you are disposing of items like dressings or swabs, the council will supply you with orange bags when you arrange a collection. These are free of charge.
You should never put sharps into an orange bag.
Make sure that bags are not overfilled. They should be securely closed when ready for collection.
What you can put in your orange bag
Waste item
Can it go in the orange bag
Dialysis waste
Yes
Swabs
Yes
Soiled dressings
Yes
Any sharps (needles etc)
No
Containers or aerosols
No
Empty tablet blister packs
No
Unused medication
No
Inhalers
No
Incontinence pads
No, unless advised to do so
Nappies
No, unless advised to do so
Catheter bags
No, unless advised to do so
Sanitary products
No, unless advised to do so
Emptied stoma bags or pouches
No, unless advised to do so
Disposable bed pans
No, unless advised to do so
How to arrange a clinical waste collection
You can arrange for the collection online you will be asked to register or you can phone us. This service is free of charge.
Alternatively, arrange a collection by phone on: 0300 456 0102.
You can request collection for someone else, as long as they are a Wiltshire resident.
Commercial clinical waste collections, such as those from nursing homes, are not included as part of this service.
Returning medical equipment
Any loan equipment which is issued to the community should be returned when no longer used. All items will be assessed and safety tested and either repaired, reused or recycled. Such items include:
hoists, hospital beds, mattresses, bed levers and cushions
