Clinical waste is defined in the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992. It means any waste which consists wholly or partly of:

which unless rendered safe may prove hazardous to any person coming into contact with it. And:

Any other waste arising from medical, nursing, dental, veterinary, pharmaceutical or similar practice, investigation, treatment, care teaching or research, or the collection of blood for transfusion, being waste which may cause infection to any person coming into contact with it.

Hypodermic needles and hazardous clinical wastes should never be disposed of in domestic waste.

If patients are treated in their home by a community nurse or a member of the NHS profession, any waste produced as a result is considered to be the healthcare professional's waste.

If the waste is non-hazardous, and as long as it is appropriately bagged and sealed, it is acceptable for the waste to be disposed of with household waste. This is usually the case with sanitary towels, nappies and incontinence pads which are not considered to be hazardous when they originate from a healthy population.

If the waste is classified as hazardous the healthcare professional can remove that waste and transport it in approved containers (i.e. rigid, leak proof, sealed, secured etc) and take it back to the trust base for appropriate disposal. Alternatively, the trust can make arrangements for the disposal of the waste with an appropriate waste contractor for which a charge may be made.

If patients treat themselves in their own home any waste produced as a result is considered to be their own. Only where a particular risk has been identified (based on medical diagnosis) does such waste need to be treated as hazardous clinical waste. In these cases, local authorities are obliged to collect the waste separately when asked to do so by the waste holder, but may make a charge to cover the cost of collection.

In the case of pharmaceuticals the recommended means of disposal is to return them to a pharmacist. If this is not possible then again local authorities are obliged to collect the waste separately when asked to do so by the waste holder, but may make a charge to cover the cost of collection.

Who should I contact to arrange a clinical waste collection?

Please contact Greensweep on 01271 374776 or 01271 340391 who will make the necessary arrangements and explain how the service works.

Is the collection free?

Yes. Currently the collection of clinical waste is free.

What day will the clinical waste be collected?

The contractor will arrange a day with you prior to collection.
(Please note that the contractor uses an unmarked van, in order to ensure that the collection remains discreet.)

What if my collection is missed?
Please call 01271 374776 or 01271 340391. Your complaint will then be passed on to the contractor. It will normally be collected on the same day if you notify the Unit by 12 o'clock. Otherwise, it should be collected the following day. Full details will be provided to you at the time of your call.

Who should I contact if I have any further comments or compliments regarding the level of service provided?

We welcome your comments on how we can improve the way we deliver our services. If you have any comments, compliments or feel you need to complain about our service delivery; please write to the Head of Recycling and Commercial Services at the address below:

Customer Services
North Devon District Council
Civic Centre
North Walk
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1EA

Telephone: (01271) 388444
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk

(Please note that the Council has a set procedure for dealing with complaints. You will be advised of the outcome of the investigation, together with what action the Council proposes to take.)