The information below explains the different types of clinical waste bags and containers and which one you should use for the type of waste you are producing.
You can also download our Clinical Waste in the Home guide which contains this information in leaflet form.
Black bag or Tiger bag (yellow with black stripes)
For non-infectious clinical waste including:
- gloves and aprons
- incontinence pads
- disposable nappies
- dressings
- catheter bags
- syringes used for food products
- sanitary products etc
- Please use a black bag if you have less than one third of a bag of non-infectious clinical waste per week. The waste should be double wrapped and put it in with your normal household waste. You do not need to register for a clinical waste collection service.
- Please use a tiger bag if you have more than a third of a bag per week of non-infectious clinical waste. You will also need to register for a clinical waste collection service.
Register for a clinical waste collection service
Orange bag
For infectious clinical waste which is likely to infect others, for example:
- all treatment waste contaminated with bodily fluids
- diarrhoea and vomiting
- HIV/Hep B
- infectious dressings
You will also need to register for a clinical waste collection service.
Register for a clinical waste collection service
Purple bag
For cytotoxic and cytostatic waste, ie, waste produced during chemotherapy or hormone treatment that is:
- toxic
- carcinogenic
- mutagenic
- toxic for reproduction
- contaminated by medicines including:
- personal protective equipment, (eg, gloves, masks and gowns)
- syringe bodies and tubing
You will also need to register for a clinical waste collection service.
Register for a clinical waste collection service
Sharps bins
For anything that can puncture the skin and may be contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids including:
- empty medicine bottles
- cartridges of insulin
- finger prick lancets and platforms
- pen needles
- blades
- glass ampoules
- needles and syringes
You will also need to register for a clinical waste collection service.
Register for a clinical waste collection serviceDifferent types of sharps bins
- Orange label and lid: Infectious sharps waste
- Yellow label and lid: Infectious sharps waste contaminated with medicines
- Purple label and lid: Sharps waste contaminated with Cytotoxic and Cytostatic medicines
Please note; We do not supply new sharps bins.
You will need to get these from your healthcare provider or pharmacy.