Medical waste collections

Our dedicated Medical Waste Collections service is available to residents who need to safely dispose of medical waste and needles, including:

• Bags and yellow boxes for sharps
• Purple boxes for sharps

Medical waste and needle collections are done on Wednesdays and applications must be made by 12 noon on the Monday before the collection day. Bags and boxes must be presented by 7am at an agreed point.

• Apply for a medical waste or needle collection.

What is medical waste?

Medical waste is any waste that poses a threat of infection to humans, including:

• Human tissue
• Blood and other bodily fluids
• Swabs and dressings
• Syringes, needles or other sharp instruments

Medical waste must not be placed in your normal domestic refuse container.

How to dispose of needles and syringes

Residents using needles (such as diabetics) will use a 'sharps container' for disposal. Pharmacies and doctors surgeries give out yellow boxes for the collection of needles and syringes (the council does not supply these). They also have a duty to take these boxes back. The Council also offers this service.