Overview

When Covid-19 escalated across London, University College Hospital London (UCLH) faced a sudden and serious operational gap. Its incumbent clinical waste supplier was unable to continue servicing the site at the very time waste volumes and infection control demands were rising sharply.

UCLH needed a partner that could step in immediately, operate safely within a pressured hospital environment and maintain compliant collections without disruption. Harrison Benn Limited responded at pace, providing seamless clinical waste collection support throughout this critical period.

Over the course of two months, we removed in excess of 300 tonnes of clinical waste, helping UCLH maintain continuity of service so clinical teams could stay focused on patient care. Crucially, we did this without charging an additional premium for the emergency response.

Clinical Waste Collections at Harrison Benn Limited

Clinical Waste Collections are a safety-critical part of running any healthcare setting, from hospitals and GP surgeries to dental practices and care homes. When collections are reliable, waste is removed on schedule, storage areas stay under control and teams can focus on patient care instead of operational disruption.

At Harrison Benn Limited, we deliver compliant Clinical Waste Collections designed around real working environments, with clear communication, dependable uplift and flexible support when volumes change.

The situation

During the early stages of the pandemic, hospitals were required to adapt at speed. Processes changed rapidly, patient throughput increased and the demand on clinical spaces intensified. In this environment, clinical waste removal is not a background task, it is a core operational requirement that directly supports:

• infection prevention and control
• safe, usable clinical environments
• staff confidence and workflow
• compliance with waste handling requirements
• day-to-day continuity across wards and treatment areas

With the incumbent supplier unable to continue collections, UCLH risked delays that could quickly impact operational capacity. Waste storage areas can reach limits, internal movement becomes harder to manage and the knock-on effect can disrupt the smooth running of busy departments.

UCLH required an immediate, dependable solution.

The challenge

The challenge for any emergency service takeover in a healthcare environment is not simply collecting waste, it is doing it safely, consistently and compliantly under pressure.

UCLH needed a provider that could:

• mobilise quickly with minimal lead time
• maintain reliable collection frequency to prevent build-up
• support high volumes over a sustained period
• operate around live clinical activity with strict site controls
• keep service consistent even as requirements shifted day by day
• avoid adding financial strain during an already difficult period

This was not a one-off uplift. It was a fast-paced, high-volume service requirement during a period of uncertainty.

Our response

Harrison Benn Limited stepped in to provide rapid-response clinical waste collections built around UCLH’s operational realities.

Rapid mobilisation and continuity

Our first priority was restoring dependable service. We arranged collections that aligned with the hospital’s needs and ensured waste removal remained steady and predictable. This helped reduce operational risk and provided clarity at a time when many working conditions were changing daily.

A fleet designed for access and efficiency

To support the site effectively, we used small, more versatile box vans. This approach was especially valuable in a complex London hospital environment where:

• access routes can be tight or restricted
• loading areas may be shared and time-sensitive
• manoeuvrability matters for safe movement on and around site
• efficient turnarounds reduce congestion and disruption

These vehicles allowed us to maintain collections efficiently and adapt to the day-to-day requirements of a busy healthcare site.

A practical, safety-first approach

Throughout the service period, we focused on controlled, consistent collections that helped UCLH manage waste safely and keep clinical areas functioning. The aim was straightforward: remove waste reliably so it did not become an added pressure on hospital teams.

The results

Across a two-month period, Harrison Benn Limited removed in excess of 300 tonnes of clinical waste from UCLH.

Key outcomes included:

• Seamless service takeover when the incumbent supplier could not operate
• Sustained high-volume collections across an eight-week period
• Reduced operational risk by preventing waste build-up and bottlenecks
• Improved day-to-day certainty for hospital teams during a fast-changing situation
• No additional premium charged for emergency response support

Why this matters

Clinical waste management is often only noticed when something goes wrong. During Covid, the stakes were significantly higher. Reliable collections supported infection control procedures, helped maintain safe working environments and protected the hospital’s ability to continue operating under extreme demand.

This case study highlights a key truth for healthcare facilities: resilience depends on partners who can deliver under pressure, not just on paper, but in real-world conditions.

For Harrison Benn Limited, this engagement reflects our commitment to doing the right thing when healthcare providers need support most. We stepped in, delivered the service required and did so fairly, without opportunistic pricing during a national crisis.

What healthcare providers can take from this

If you manage waste services for a hospital, clinic or healthcare network, this case demonstrates the value of:

• having contingency support available if a supplier cannot operate
• ensuring your waste partner can scale quickly during peak pressure
• choosing providers with flexible logistics for complex sites
• prioritising service consistency, compliance and practical responsiveness
• working with partners who keep pricing transparent during emergencies

About Harrison Benn Limited

Harrison Benn Limited provides compliant, hassle-free clinical waste management solutions tailored to healthcare providers. We support organisations with planned collections, emergency collections and service continuity cover, with a focus on safety, compliance and dependable customer service.