Waste Container Colour Codes Explained

Waste segregation at the point of generation enables the safe management of healthcare wastes. It is an essential part of ensuring that healthcare activities don’t pose a risk of infection to carers and anyone else coming into contact with the waste containers. There are waste bins colour coding systems in place to allow every business in the healthcare sector to adhere to compliance, reduce costs and protect the environment.

Healthcare waste segregation processes are vital to ensure the waste is stored, transported and treated correctly. Colour coded bins for waste management prevent contamination and ensure safe waste management. By adhering to waste segregation processes, different waste types can be processed using the most appropriate treatment or disposal process. Consequently, it is easier for organisations to manage their waste management costs.

What is Clinical Waste?

Clinical waste is any waste material that is created during the diagnosis, treatment or immunisation of humans and animals. Items that are regularly needed to be disposed of and segregated can be syringes, surgical instruments, contaminated dressings and laboratory waste. Because this type of waste is known as hazardous or non-hazardous, it has to be split up to be disposed of correctly. This is achieved by colour coded waste containers to segregate medical waste and make sure that it is handled, stored, transported and disposed of safely.

What Are the Waste Bin Colours?

There are many waste bin colours in the healthcare industry, depending on the type of waste you are dealing with. Healthcare produces a lot of different forms of waste, with some being more toxic than others. Due to this, they are handled in various ways and disposed of differently from one another. The colour coding for waste segregation is split into the following main colours:

• Yellow.
• Orange.
• Black and Yellow.
• Blue.
• Purple.
• Red.

The Importance of Colour Coded Waste Containers

Colour coded waste containers are essential because they visually separate each type of waste available in the healthcare industry. This ensures that the right waste goes into the right bin and gets disposed of properly. Health care facilities across the world can produce a large amount of hazardous waste every day. If waste bin colours aren’t used and waste isn’t disposed correctly, it can lead to huge issues for everybody.

Without a proper system in place, waste from healthcare facilities can spread infections, create needle-stick injuries and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Not only this, but also the waste can have a serious negative impact on the environment, contaminating it. Businesses themselves can suffer too. Not only is the chance of infections spreading in facilities increased, but they will also spend more money on their waste disposal. This is because it costs more when waste isn’t separated, as a waste disposal company, like Novus Environmental, will have to separate it.

Using the right colour coded bins for waste management helps healthcare professionals manage their waste efficiently and, most importantly, safely. They reduce the risks of incorrect waste management and abide by regulations.

Which Coloured Waste Bins Should I Use?

What Novus Environmental Can Do for Your Waste Bins Colour Coding in the UK

Novus Environmental can help you dispose of your waste correctly and safely for the healthcare industry, abiding by the waste bins colour coding in the UK regulations. We are a leading provider of specialist waste management services offering a wide range of sustainable waste treatment, recycling and disposal solutions. These help you to increase your compliance, reduce costs and protect the environment. Contact us today for all your waste management needs, and our team will be happy to help.