Clinical Refuse CollectionsWe offer a free of charge, regular clinical waste collection service to anyone living in or visiting Southwark. We offer a chargeable service to businesses or organisations within the borough; for more information, please go to the commercial waste information pages.
How to request your clinical refuse collection service
Normally your GP, nurse or health visitor will make the application on your behalf by writing a referral letter or completing the service request form. You can request this service yourself by simply completing the form and returning it to us.
Completing the form
 Download a clinical refuse collection application form (23 kb). If you can't download or print this form, we can post one to you. Contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.
When completing the form, you need to provide your name and contact details. You have to tell us what type of refuse you want collected.
All types are listed on the form. So tick the box that describes the type of refuse. Sign the form and please return it to the address at the top of the form.
Arranging your collection service
Once your form has been received, we will contact you to make further arrangements.
You will be supplied with yellow bags or 'sharp safe containers' depending on the type of waste you're having collected. Please note that you must use these containers properly or your waste may not be collected.
How your waste is collected
All your waste must be put into the yellow bags or sharp safe containers that we supply you with.
Use of yellow bags
- Make sure that they are not more than three quarters full
- Make sure they are securely tied. Do not use staples to close the bag
Use of sharp safe containers
- These must be used for the disposal of needles, broken glass and any other sharp objects
- Make sure they are securely closed before collection
- Please do not put them inside yellow bags
Collection days
All collection days are assigned according to postcode for both sharp safe containers and yellow bags:
| Day |
Post Code |
| Monday |
SE4 SE5 SE11 SE14 SE15 SE17 |
| Tuesday |
SE19 SE21 SE22 SE23 SE24 |
| Thursday |
SE1 SE8 SE16 |
What can be described as clinical refuse?
Any waste that is a byproduct of the treatment of people or animals and could cause infection or injury is classed as 'clinical waste'. A large amount of clinical refuse comes from health care environments, e.g. hospitals, pharmacies, veterinary practices but also the home. Clinical waste can be categorised as follows:
Group A
- Identifiable human tissue, blood, animal carcasses from veterinary centres, hospitals or laboratories
- Soiled surgical dressings, swabs and other similar soiled waste
- Other waste materials, for example from infectious disease cases, excluding any in group B-E
Group B
- Discarded syringe needles, cartridges, broken glass and any other contaminated disposable sharp instruments or items
Group C
- Microbiological cultures and potentially infected waste from pathology departments and other clinical or research laboratories
Group D
- Drugs or other pharmaceutical products
Group E
- Items used to dispose of urine, faeces and other bodily secretions or excretions that do not fall within Group A. This includes used disposable bedpans or bed linens, incontinence pads, tornabags and urine containers
Where does it go?
Here at Southwark we collect approximately 200 tonnes of clinical waste per year. Producers of clinical waste must ensure that they pass their waste to a waste carrier registered with an Environment Agency - such as us. The carrier must then transport the waste to an authorised or licensed disposal facility. Southwark takes most of its clinical waste to Edmonton Waste Energy Plant where it can be safely incinerated at high temperatures.
Contact us
Please contact us if you need more information or to have an application form posted to you.
Commercial Refuse Service
Tel: 020 7525 2000
Fax: 020 7525 3077
environment@southwark.gov.uk
Manor place Depot
30-34 Penrose Street
London
SE17 3DW |