Sharps and other clinical waste

We provide extra support for residents with sharps and other clinical waste. These collection services are free and confidential.

Clinical waste is classed as being infectious or potentially infectious. It must be handled, transported and disposed of separately as putting it in your black bin can be dangerous.

All needle-based items must be inside a sharps box for collection. This includes needles, lancets, syringes, expired or used injector pens and empty insulin cartridges.

You can collect a sharps box from your health worker or pharmacist.

How to request a sharps collection

You will need to sign in or create a South Gloucestershire Council account.

You will be shown the next available collection dates in your area.

Alternatively, you can:

• visit one of our One Stop Shops
• call us on 01454 868000

What happens next

Put your sharps box out on your doorstep or at the agreed location by 7am on the date you selected.

Make sure the lid is secured and there are no loose needles. This is to protect the safety of our collection crew and ensure no spillages.

How to request collections of other clinical waste

Clinical waste excluding sharps needs to be put into special collection bags. Your doctor or healthcare worker will explain to you which bags you need and who provides them.

If you need this service, download the application form and complete it with your healthcare professional.

What happens next

We will advise you of your collection day and how to put your bags out once we have received and processed your completed application form.

Related information

If you do not have an infection your medical waste such as dressings and swabs can go in your black bin. If you have a lot of this type of waste you can request an extra black bin.

We offer a free fortnightly hygiene waste collection service for incontinence products and ostomy bags. For more information check our help with hygiene waste page.