Clinical waste
What is household clinical waste?
Household clinical waste is waste produced in the home that may pose a risk of infection or injury to others. It comes from medical care provided at home (for example, by a district nurse or GP) or from healthcare treatments that residents manage themselves.
Examples include:
- sharps such as needles, syringes or lancets
- contaminated dressings, swabs or bandages
- items soaked with blood or bodily fluids
- certain medicines or pharmaceutical waste (if directed by a healthcare professional).
This type of waste must not be placed in household or recycling bins. It should be stored in the appropriate containers (such as yellow bags or sharps boxes) provided by the NHS or a healthcare professional and collected through the council’s approved clinical waste collection service.
Household clinical waste service
We provide a household clinical waste collection service, which must be arranged by a healthcare professional such as a clinic, district nurse, or GP. This is for items such as sharps, dressings and contaminated materials.
Clinical waste must be stored in the correct containers - yellow bags or sharps boxes - which are supplied by the health service.
Sharps boxes will only be collected for patients who are housebound. Other self-medicating patients will need to return their boxes to their GP surgery. Bags should be fastened securely and not too heavy.
To set up a collection, the healthcare professional must complete a clinical waste assessment form. Once approved, collections are provided free of charge.
More detailed information is available in the Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Waste Collection Policy, produced in partnership with the Derbyshire Local Medical Committee, West Pennine Local Medical Committee, and Derbyshire Community Health Services Trust.
Enquiries about the service can be made online or by emailing clinicalwaste@derby.gov.uk.
Incontinence waste
Incontinence waste should be placed in the black household bin. If there is not enough capacity, a healthcare professional will need to complete a clinical waste assessment form so that additional arrangements can be made.
What is business clinical waste?
Business clinical waste is waste produced by a business or organisation during medical, veterinary, or related activities that may pose a risk of infection or injury. Unlike household clinical waste, businesses are legally responsible for arranging and paying for its safe collection and disposal through a licensed clinical waste contractor.
Examples include:
- used needles, syringes, or sharps from healthcare, tattooing, or beauty treatments
- contaminated dressings, swabs, or bandages from first aid or medical procedures
- infectious materials such as PPE, gloves, or disposable instruments
- pharmaceutical waste such as expired medicines (if classified as hazardous).
Business clinical waste must never be placed in general commercial or household bins. It must be stored securely in approved containers and collected by an authorised waste carrier for treatment or safe disposal.
Business clinical waste service
A business clinical waste collection is available at a competitive price.
Contact us by email at clinicalwaste@derby.gov.uk for more information.