Clinical waste can’t be treated like ordinary rubbish
If your business handles healthcare or personal care services, from GP surgeries and dentists to tattoo studios and aesthetic clinics, you’re likely generating clinical waste. But unlike regular waste, clinical waste comes with strict handling, storage and disposal rules.
In this guide, we explain:
- What clinical waste is
- Which businesses it applies to
- How to manage it safely and legally in the UK
What is clinical waste?
Clinical waste refers to any waste that poses a risk of infection, contamination or injury. It’s a legal category under UK waste regulations and includes items such as:
- Used dressings and bandages
- Swabs and gloves contaminated with bodily fluids
- Syringes, needles and other sharps
- Human tissue
- Pharmaceutical products (e.g. expired medicines)
In simple terms, if it comes into contact with bodily fluids or presents a biological hazard, it’s probably clinical waste.
Who produces clinical waste?
You might think clinical waste is only produced by hospitals, but it actually comes from a wide range of businesses, including:
- General practices (GPs)
- Dental clinics
- Care homes
- Physiotherapists and chiropractors
- Tattoo and piercing studios
- Beauty and aesthetic clinics
- Veterinary practices
If your business carries out treatments or procedures that generate waste with potential health risks, you need to comply with clinical waste regulations.
Types of clinical waste (and how to identify them)
To manage clinical waste effectively, it helps to understand the different categories:
| Waste Type | Examples | Colour Code (UK) |
| Infectious waste | Swabs, PPE, dressings with blood | Orange |
| Sharps waste | Needles, blades, syringes | Yellow or orange |
| Anatomical waste | Human tissue or body parts | Red |
| Pharmaceutical waste | Out-of-date or unused medicines | Blue |
| Cytotoxic/cytostatic waste | Chemotherapy drugs | Purple |
Using the correct colour-coded bins and bags helps prevent contamination and ensures your waste is processed properly.
Why correct disposal matters
Improper disposal of clinical waste can have serious consequences, including:
- Environmental damage
- Risk to human health
- Legal penalties for your business
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, you have a Duty of Care to manage your waste responsibly, from the moment it’s produced to the moment it’s safely disposed of.
How to dispose of clinical waste
- Segregate at source
Use colour-coded bins and bags for each waste type. Don’t mix hazardous with general waste. - Store securely
Keep clinical waste in a designated area that’s locked, clearly labelled and inaccessible to the public. - Use a licensed waste carrier
Partner with a provider (like Harrison Benn) that’s registered with the Environment Agency and specialises in clinical waste disposal. - Maintain records
Keep waste transfer notes and documentation to prove compliance.
Harrison Benn makes it simple
Managing clinical waste can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure where to start. At Harrison Benn, we help businesses across the healthcare, beauty and wellbeing sectors stay safe and compliant, without the stress.
We offer:
- Tailored waste collection plans
- Full compliance support
- Transparent pricing
- Friendly, expert service
Clinical waste is a serious responsibility, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. By understanding your obligations and partnering with the right provider, you can protect your staff, your clients, and the environment.
Want help managing your clinical waste?
Get in touch today!