WASTE TYPES PERMITTED FOR STORAGE, REPACKAGING AND TRANSFER (PERMITTED ACTIVITIES D15 AND R 13)
Waste should be designated with the highest risk level where more than one could apply. If in any doubt you must consult with the COTC holder. The table below lists the waste types that Medisort is permitted to handle and how they must be treated:
European Waste Code (EWC) 09, 09 01 Wastes from the photographic industry
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EWC/pack colour |
MediTrack Suffix |
Common description |
Common Examples/Notes/Justification |
Full EA Description |
Disposal route |
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09 01 01* |
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Usually derived from X-ray activities |
Water-based developer and activator solutions2 |
Recycling |
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09 01 02* |
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|
ditto |
Water-based offset plate developer solutions2 |
Recycling |
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09 01 03* |
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X-ray developer X-ray Liquid Fixer & Developer |
ditto |
Solvent based developer solutions2 |
Recycling |
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09 01 04* |
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X-ray fixer |
ditto |
Fixer solutions2 |
Recycling |
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09 01 05* |
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|
ditto |
Bleach solutions and bleach fixer solutions2 |
Recycling |
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09 01 07 |
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X-ray film |
ditto |
Photographic film and paper containing silver or silver compounds2 |
Recycling |
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09 01 08 |
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|
ditto |
Photographic film and paper free of silver or silver compounds2 |
Landfill |
2 This is limited to wastes of this type arising from medical practices or associated research activities.
European Waste Code (EWC) 15, 15 01 Waste packaging; absorbents, wiping cloths, filter materials and protective clothing not otherwise specified
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EWC/pack colour |
MediTrack Suffix |
Common description |
Common Examples/Notes/Justification |
Full EA Description |
Disposal route |
|
15 01 01 |
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Cardboard |
Clean cardboard for recycling |
paper and cardboard packaging |
Recycling |
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15 01 04 |
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Lead foil/metallic packaging |
Lead foil from dental practices and other customers. |
Packaging containing residues of or contaminated by dangerous substances |
Recycling |
European Waste Code (EWC) 16 – wastes not otherwise specified in the list. 16 02 Discarded equipment and its components
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EWC/pack colour |
MediTrack Suffix |
Common description |
Common Examples/Notes/Justification |
Full EA Description |
Disposal route |
|
16 02 09* |
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Machinery, Machinery – heavy industrial, Machinery – light industrial, PCBs, Industrial machinery (heavy), Industrial machinery (light), Transformers (with PCBs or PCTs) |
Transformers and capacitors containing PCBs Capacitors (with PCBs or PCTs), |
Recycling |
|
16 02 10* |
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Appliances – domestic, Electrical domestic appliances, Electrical appliances, Machinery, Machinery – heavy industrial, Machinery – light industrial, Mechanical parts (metal), PCBs, Industrial machinery (heavy), Industrial machinery (light), Scrap metal |
Discarded equipment containing or contaminated by PCBs other than those mentioned in 16 02 09 |
Recycling |
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16 02 11* |
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Appliances – domestic, Electrical absorption fridges, Appliances – domestic, CFCs, Chlorofluorocarbons, Domestic appliances (electrical), Electrical domestic appliances, Domestic appliances CFCs not extracted, Electrical appliances, Machinery, Machinery |
Discarded equipment containing chlorofluorocarbons, HCFC, HFC |
Recycling |
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16 02 12* |
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Asbestos, Asbestos – fibrous, Appliances – domestic, Appliances – domestic, Cookers, Domestic appliances (electrical), Electrical appliances, Microwave cookers, Electrical domestic appliances, Machinery, Machinery – heavy industrial, Machinery – light ind |
discarded equipment containing free asbestos |
Recycling |
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16 02 13* |
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Capacitors (without PCBs or PCTs), Computer screens, Computers, Appliances -domestic, Appliances – domestic, Agricultural machinery, Cathode ray tubes, Electronic appliances, Electronic equipment, Cookers – microwave, Domestic appliances (electrical), El |
discarded equipment containing hazardous components other than those mentioned in 16 02 09 to 16 02 12 |
Recycling |
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16 02 14 |
|
End of Life Medical Equipment |
Bulbs – non fluorescent, Capacitors (without PCBs or PCTs), Bulbs – Non Fluorescent, Computer keyboards, Computers, Appliances – domestic, Appliances -domestic, Cookers, Agricultural machinery, Cookers – microwave, Domestic appliances (electrical), Elect |
discarded equipment other than those mentioned in 16 02 09 to 16 02 13 |
Recycling |
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16 02 15* |
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Capacitors (without PCBs or PCTs), Computer screens, Agricultural machinery, Cathode ray tubes, Electrical cable, Electrical components, Electrical wire, Electronic components, Electronic fixtures/fittings, Electronic scrap, Machinery, Machinery – heavy i |
Hazardous components removed from discarded equipment |
Recycling |
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16 02 16 |
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Capacitors (without PCBs or PCTs), Computer keyboards, Computers, Agricultural machinery, Electrical cable, Electrical components, Electrical wire, Electronic components, Electronic fixtures/fittings, Electronic scrap, Machinery, Machinery – heavy industry |
components removed from discarded equipment other than those mentioned in 16 02 15 |
Recycling |
European Waste Code (EWC) 18 – Wastes from human or animal health care and/or related research (except kitchen and restaurant wastes not arising from immediate health care). 18 01 – Wastes from natal care, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease in humans
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EWC/pack colour |
MediTrack Suffix |
Common description |
Common Examples/Notes/Justification |
Full EA Description |
Disposal route |
|
18 01 01 |
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Non-hazardous sharps Sharps Box Sharps Bin Prickles Box Prickles Bin Sharpie Box Sharpie Bin Needle Box Needle Bin Diabetes Box Container Sharps Container |
Razor blades, scalpels used on healthy people, needles from blood transfusion etc., orthodontist wires |
Sharps (except 18 01 03*)3 |
Incineration |
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18 01 02 |
|
Non-hazardous anatomical Body Parts Bodily Fluids Body Fluids |
Waste from blood banks, recognisable human body parts, often packaged in one way burn bins. |
Body parts and organs including blood bags and blood preserves (except 18 01 03*)3 |
Incineration |
|
18 01 03* |
|
Hazardous soft waste. Orange bags |
Soiled swabs, dressings, gloves, gowns, bandages etc |
Wastes whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection |
Autoclave |
|
18 01 03* |
SP |
Hazardous sharps |
Most needles, scalpel blades etc. used on potentially infectious people |
Ditto |
Incineration |
|
18 01 03* |
09 |
Medicinal sharps |
Sharps that have been used to deliver pharmaceuticals |
Ditto |
Incineration |
|
18 01 03* |
INC |
Infectious waste for incineration |
Rarely used, but sometimes the customer wants their waste incinerated for their own piece of mind. |
Ditto |
Incineration |
|
18 01 03* |
REC |
Single use instruments |
Dedicated solid container with removable lid |
Ditto |
A/C & recycle |
|
18 01 04 |
|
Offensive waste Tiger bags Nappy Waste Pads Yellow Striped Bags
|
Dressings, linen, disposable clothing, diapers3 |
Wastes whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection |
Energy Recovery Facility |
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18 01 04 |
STP |
Offensive waste shred to packer |
Pre autoclaved waste or where the customer wants the waste made unrecognisable before being taken to landfill |
Ditto |
Energy Recovery Facility |
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18 01 04 |
GYP |
Gypsum waste |
Plaster casts, dental moulds. Segregate prior to despatch to landfill |
Ditto |
Energy Recovery Facility |
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18 01 06* |
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Hazardous chemicals |
Various containers, original packaging, one way burn bins etc., for incineration or recycling |
Chemicals consisting of or containing dangerous substances (excluding X- ray photochemicals) |
Incineration |
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18 01 07 |
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Non-hazardous chemicals |
Various containers, original packaging, one way burn bins etc., all for incineration or recycling |
Chemicals other than those mentioned in 18 01 06 (excluding X- ray photochemicals) |
Incineration |
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18 01 08* |
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Cyto waste |
Always in purple lidded bins |
Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines |
Incineration |
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18 01 09 |
|
Pharmaceuticals/drugs Doop Bin Doom Box Doom Bin Meds Bin Meds Waste Bin Denaturing Kit Destruction Kit Pharmy Waste |
In blue or yellow lidded bins |
Medicines other than those mentioned in 18 01 08 |
Incineration |
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18 01 10* |
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Amalgam Amalgam Filters Amalgam Separator Amalgam Capsules Amalgam Sludge |
In small pots or capsule kegs/containers for recycling |
Amalgam waste from dental care |
Recycling |
18 02 – Waste from research, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease involving animals
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EWC/pack colour |
MediTrack Suffix |
Common description |
Common Examples/Notes/Justification |
Full EA Description |
Disposal route |
|
18 02 01 |
|
Non-hazardous animal sharps |
Razor blades, scalpels used on healthy animals, needles from blood transfusion etc., orthodontist wires |
Sharps (except 18 02 02*)3. |
Incineration |
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18 02 01 |
INC |
Non-hazardous animal sharps, wrong package |
Razor blades, scalpels used on healthy animals, needles from blood transfusion etc., orthodontist wires |
Ditto |
Incineration |
|
18 02 02* |
|
Hazardous animal waste |
|
Waste whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection |
Autoclave |
|
18 02 02* |
SP |
Hazardous animal sharps waste |
Sharps used on potentially infectious animals that do not contain any trace of medicines |
Waste whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection |
Incineration |
|
18 02 02* |
INC |
Hazardous animal waste for incineration |
Carcasses, blood bags etc. |
Ditto |
Incineration |
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18 02 03 |
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Offensive animal waste |
|
Wastes whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection3. |
Energy Recovery Facility |
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18 02 05* |
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Chemicals consisting of or containing dangerous substances (excluding X- ray photochemicals) |
Incineration |
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18 02 06 |
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Chemicals other than those mentioned in 18 02 05* (excluding X – ray photochemicals) |
Incineration |
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18 02 07* |
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Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines |
Incineration |
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18 02 08 |
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Medicines other than those mentioned in 18 02 07* |
Incineration |
3 These entries are limited to those wastes that are not described, packaged, labelled or transported as infectious or clinical waste.
European Waste Code (EWC) 19 WASTES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES
19 02 – wastes from physico/chemical treatments of waste (including dechromatation, decyanidation, neutralisation)
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EWC/pack colour |
MediTrack Suffix |
Common description |
Common Examples/Notes/Justification |
Full EA Description |
Disposal route |
|
19 02 03 |
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Non-hazardous flock |
Waste treated by autoclaves and shredded |
premixed wastes composed only of non-hazardous wastes
|
Energy Recovery Facility |
European Waste Code (EWC) 20 – Municipal wastes (household waste and similar commercial, industrial and institutional wastes) including separately collected fractions. 20 01 – Separately collected fractions (except 15 01)
Medisort will always use chapter 18 codes for our own collections, even from homecare, first aid rooms, podiatrists, acupuncturists etc. However, some third party collectors may bring waste to us for storage, transfer or treatment that is coded 20 01…
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EWC/pack colour |
MediTrack Suffix |
Common description |
Common Examples/Notes/Justification |
Full EA Description |
Disposal route |
|
20 01 01 |
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Confidential waste |
Bags or boxes of patient records or other personal data |
Paper and Cardboard |
Recycling |
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20 01 02 |
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Glass |
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Bottles – glass, Civic amenity waste, Containers – glass, Containers – glass (contaminated), Fibreglass, Glass, Glass bottles, Glass containers, Glass fibre, Glass pots, Vitreous enamels |
Recycling |
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20 01 31* |
|
|
Equivalent to 18 01 08* from homecare patients or non-healthcare from third party collectors. No consignment note required, covered by multisite, annual waste transfer note. Purple lidded containers |
Cytotoxic and Cytostatic medicines |
Incineration |
|
20 01 32 |
|
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Equivalent to 18 01 09. |
Medicines other than those mentioned in 20 01 31* |
Incineration |
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20 01 99 |
NH |
Home patient’s and non-healthcare non-haz |
Tiger bags. Medical equipment. |
See below |
Energy Recovery Facility |
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20 01 99 |
INF |
Home patient’s and non-healthcare for alt-tech |
Orange bags Third party’s infectious or potentially infectious waste. Not consigned |
Ditto |
Autoclave |
|
20 01 99 |
INC |
Home patient’s and non-healthcare for incineration |
Cosmetic body piercing and body art (tattoos), syringes from substance abuse, non-medical procedures in the hair and beauty sector, non-healthcare related incident clean up from crime scenes. Not consigned |
Ditto |
Incineration |
20 01 99 Other fractions not otherwise specified (comprising of separately collected Fractions of municipal clinical waste (not arising from healthcare and / or related research i.e. not including waste from natal care, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease) which is subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection).
Other fractions not otherwise specified (comprising only of non-clinical human and animal offensive/hygiene waste (not arising from healthcare and/or related research i.e. not including waste from natal care, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease) which is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection).
Biohazard Bags Colour Coding: A UK Guide
As a business owner or operator, you are required under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to dispose of waste in a responsible way. The Environmental Protection Act is in place to make sure that types of waste that could harm people and the environment are dealt with securely and make minimal impact on the planet.
Waste generated by the healthcare sector is some of the most hazardous waste, including harmful chemicals and potentially infectious materials, that can pose a serious risk if not handled properly.
Biohazard bags colour coding is used to clearly identify different types of waste to waste management teams. As waste bag colour coding is different in the United States, UK residents are often left wondering what colour is a biohazard bag UK healthcare professionals use for body fluids, infectious materials, harmful chemicals, or offensive waste?
red biohazard bag
If you’re wondering about the difference between red and yellow biohazard bags or what needs to be put into the tiger stripe bag, you’re in the right place. Here’s our comprehensive guide to hazardous and non-hazardous waste bags for use in healthcare settings.
Biohazardous Waste Bag Colour Guide
Blue Waste Bags
Waste Type: Medicinal Non-Hazardous
Sometimes called ‘blue biohazard bags’ these are actually used for non-hazardous medicinal waste that doesn’t contain anything which would pose a risk through cytotoxic or cytostatic materials.
Examples: Denatured drugs, inhaler cartridges, unopened medical vials, containers or tablets, and out of date, unused medicine.
Do not include: Hazardous waste such as body fluids, materials contaminated with potentially infectious materials, contaminated medicines, cytotoxic and cytostatic materials.
Disposal Guidance:
Dispose of sharp objects in a sharps bin before putting them into a blue bag. Dispose of bags in a blue bin or at a waste collection point for blue waste. Bags will then be incinerated at a specialist facility.
Blue waste bags
Clear Biohazard Bags
Waste Type: Lateral Flow
Large-scale Covid-19 testing has led to a new type of healthcare waste bag being made to define waste that contains used lateral flow kits. This is classed as chemical waste.
Examples: Used lateral flow test kits.
Do not include: General waste, hazardous chemicals, body fluids or tissues.
Disposal Guidance:
Leave clear lateral flow waste bags at a designated spot to be collected for incineration.
Clear biohazard bags
Orange Biohazard Bags
Waste Type: Infectious Clinical Waste
Both hazardous and non-hazardous waste that has come into contact with patients known or suspected to be carrying an infectious disease. Body fluids, tissues, and medicinal waste should not be put into orange waste bags.
Examples: Used PPE, used dressings, plasters, bandages, swabs, gauze and tissues.
Do not include: Any of the above when contaminated with medicines, unused medicines or chemicals, body fluids or tissues.
Disposal Guidance:
Dispose of sharp objects in a sharps bin and then put them into the orange bag. Dispose of bags in an orange bin or at a waste collection point for orange waste. Bags will then be treated to render it ‘safe’ at an alternative treatment plant or incinerated.
Orange biohazard bags
Red Biohazard Bags
Waste Type: Non-Infectious Anatomical Waste
Non-infectious anatomical waste includes body parts that are not considered to be abnormal or infectious. You can buy large or small red biohazard bags depending on what needs to be put into them.
What goes in red biohazard bags: Body parts, organs, animal remains, blood preserves, and blood bags.
Do not include: Teeth containing dental amalgam and body parts suspected or known to be infectious.
Disposal Guidance:
Dispose of sharp objects in a sharps bin and then put that into the red bag. Dispose of bags in a red bin or at a waste collection point for red waste. Bags will then be incinerated at a specialist facility.
Red biohazard bags
Yellow Biohazard Bags
Waste Type: Infectious Clinical Waste
Yellow bags should be used for infectious clinical waste. They are different from orange bags in that yellow waste bags should be used for contaminated medicinal waste and chemicals, as well as body fluids. These are things that cannot go into orange bags.
Find out what goes in a yellow biohazard bag in more detail in our blog.
Examples: Body fluids like blood, urine, vomit, mucus, materials contaminated with body fluids like swabs and bandages, IV bags, samples and cultures in a lab, and infectious, medically-contaminated diagnostic kits.
Do not include: General, non-contaminated waste and body tissues.
Yellow biohazard bags
Disposal Guidance:
Sharp objects need to be put into a sharps bin and then put that into a yellow biohazard bag. Dispose of bags in a yellow bin or at a waste collection point for yellow waste. Bags will then be incinerated at a specialist waste disposal plant.
We cover exactly how to dispose of a yellow waste bag in our blog.
Fluids can be safely disposed of into a yellow waste bag if absorbed using a super absorbent powder. Find out how to use a biohazard spill kit, how to use one, and what one is used for in our blog.
Purple Biohazard Bags
Waste Type: Cytotoxic and Cytostatic Waste
Cytotoxic and cytostatic drugs are used to destroy cancer cells. Purple hazardous waste bags are used to dispose of anything contaminated with chemotherapy-related drugs and medicines with cancer-killing properties. This waste is dangerous because cytotoxic and cytostatic chemicals assist in damaging and destroying cells.
Examples: PPE contaminated with cytotoxic and cytostatic waste, needles used after administering chemotherapy, IV bags used to administer chemotherapy, and bandages and dressings contaminated with cytotoxic and cytostatic waste.
Do not include: General waste.
Disposal Guidance:
Put any contaminated sharps into a sharps bin and then into the purple bag. Dispose of the bag at a specified waste disposal point. The waste will then be incinerated at an appropriate waste incineration plant.
Yellow and Black Striped Waste Bags
Waste Type: Offensive/Hygiene Waste
Yellow and black striped waste bags are also called tiger stripe bags. These are used for non-hazardous waste that is not infectious and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals but is likely to be offensive to the senses.
Examples: Colostomy bags, nappies, and sanitary waste.
Do not include: General waste, anything contaminated with chemicals, and any material suspected or known to be potentially infectious.
Disposal Guidance:
Dispose of sharp objects safely in a sharps bin if needed and then put them into the yellow and black bag. Leave the yellow and black bag at the appropriate disposal point to be collected and either sent for deep landfill, incinerated or used as waste for energy.
Yellow and black striped waste bags
Black Waste Bags
Waste Type: General Waste
General waste is also called domestic or municipal waste and includes everything that is not hazardous or infectious, and cannot be recycled.
Examples: non-recyclable packaging, inert waste such as crockery, vacuum cleaner dust, and used food containers.
Do not include: Recyclables, body fluids and tissues, harmful chemicals, and electronics.
Disposal Guidance:
Leave black bags at a specified collection point for general waste to be collected and sent to landfills, incinerated, or used as waste for energy. Wrap any sharp material well in newspaper or use a sharps bin.
Black waste bags
White Waste Bags
Waste Type: Dental: Amalgam and Gypsum Waste
Also called dental waste, white bags should be used to dispose of dental amalgam and gypsum. Amalgam is classed as a hazardous substance and gives off mercury vapours. Gypsum is non-hazardous and is found in dental moulds.
Examples: Teeth with fillings, unused amalgam, containers with amalgam residue, and old dental study moulds.
Do not include: General waste and body fluids.
Disposal Guidance:
Dispose of sharps in a sharps bin before putting them into a white bag. Leave white bags at a specified collection point to be removed as waste for recovery.
White waste bags
Colour coding diagram
Healthcare Waste Bag Colour Coding at a Glance
Bag Colour Waste Type Examples Disposal EWC Codes
Blue Medicinal Non-Hazardous Denatured drugs, unused non-cytostatic or cytostatic medicines Incineration at a specialist plant
Human: 18 01 09
Animal: 18 02 02
Clear Lateral Flow Used lateral flow test kits Incineration at a specialist plant 18 01 07 and 18 01 04
Orange Infectious Clinical Waste Used PPE, plasters, bandages, dressings, and swabs Treatment at an alternative treatment plant or incineration
Human: 18 01 01 and 18 01 03
Animal: 18 02 01 and 18 02 02
Red Non-Infectious Anatomical Waste Body parts, organs, animal remains Incineration at a specialist plant
Human: 18 01 02 and 18 01 03
Animal: 18 02 02 and 18 02 03
Yellow Infectious Clinical Waste Body fluids, materials contaminated with body fluids, or medicines Incineration at a specialist plant
Human: 18 01 03 and 18 01 09
Animal: 18 02 02
Purple Cytotoxic and Cytostatic Waste Materials contaminated with cytotoxic and cytostatic drugs, like needles used to administer chemotherapy Incineration at a specialist plant Human: 18 01 03 abd 18 01 08
Yellow and Black/Tiger Stripe Offensive/Hygiene Waste Nappies, sanitary waste, colostomy bags Sent to a landfill, incinerated, or used as waste for energy 18 01 04 and 20 01 99
Black General Waste Tissue paper, packaging, small amounts of food waste Sent to a landfill, incinerated, or used as waste for energy 18 01 04 and 20 01 99
White Dental: Amalgam and Gypsum Teeth with fillings, unused amalgam, containers with amalgam residue, old dental study moulds. Waste for recovery
Amalgam: 18 02 10
Gypsum: 18 01 04
Find classification codes of common types of healthcare-related waste on the government website.
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