Clinical and healthcare waste
How to request a collection
Contact your GP, nurse or health visitor as they must complete and return a clinical and healthcare waste collection application form (PDF, 222kb).
Arranging your collection service
Once we've received your completed form, we'll contact you to make collection arrangements.
We'll supply you with yellow bags or sharp safe containers, depending on the type of waste being collected.
Please ensure you have a completed application form before requesting a clinical waste collection.
Present your sealed sharps box and tied yellow bags only on your collection day before 6am in a visible and accessible location near your front door.
You must use these containers properly or your waste may not be collected.
Present your sealed sharps box and tied yellow bags only on your collection day before 6am in a visible and accessible location near your front door.
You must use these containers properly or your waste may not be collected.
Request collection of yellow bags or sharp box
How and when your waste is collected
Your waste must be put into the yellow bags or sharps boxes provided.
Use of yellow bags
- make sure they are not more than three quarters full
- make sure they are securely tied; do not use staples to close the bag
- do not include pharmaceutical waste, as this should be returned to a dispensing chemist for disposal
Use of sharps boxes
- these must be used for the disposal of needles, broken glass and any other sharp objects
- make sure they are securely closed before collection
- do not put sharps boxes inside yellow bags
Collection days
All collection days are assigned according to postcode for both sharp safe containers and yellow bags:
- Monday, SE4, SE5, SE11, SE14, SE15, SE17
- Tuesday, SE19, SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24
- Thursday, SE1, SE8, SE16
Page last updated: 04 October 2023
