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Garfield Esq  
#1 Posted : 04 March 2010 11:02:38(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Garfield Esq

Good day all - I thought I’d seek your comments on this. In each of our ladies/unisex toilets there is a small stainless bin that is used to contain sanitary towels. These bins are lined with a plastic bag which the cleaners remove, tie and place into our black refuse bags which are then collect by LA and disposed via an incinerator. Having looked on the web it appears that such waste is not deemed 'clinical waste', and provided we are disposing of our refuse properly i.e using the local authority, we do not have todo any further action. LA Cleansing Services appear to agree, however a member of staff has questioned this. Should sanitary waste be classified as Hazardous waste and have a waste transfer note from SEPA i.e. be managed to a point of disposal by a licensed carrier and copy retained for audit etc.. GC What are your thoughts?
Alan Haynes  
#2 Posted : 04 March 2010 11:21:18(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Alan Haynes

bob youel  
#3 Posted : 04 March 2010 11:35:57(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

this is a very complicated area because such waste can be deemed in certain situations to be hazardous waste but I would say that in the situation that you describe we would treat it as if it was created at home so its not industrial waste so its not hazardous waste Quantity may become a problem it it was put into ordinary bins etc and I would hire a specialist company to both supply the new product and remove the used product
User is suspended until 03/02/2041 16:43:28(UTC) IanBlenkharn  
#4 Posted : 04 March 2010 12:40:47(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
IanBlenkharn

Technically its sanitary or offensive waste and must be managed accordingly though you are not likely to have much probem if you dispose of small arisings in a domestic waste stream. Be aware that if you do this, the environment Agency might wake up and make a nuisance of themselves, or more likely the LA will make an issue of mixing wastes in your trade waste collections and expect a separate collection. What you are doing now is almost correct, but if you have a special collection of this sanitary waste by a LA who are accepting this in black bags then its already gone wrong - it should be ina yellow/black tiger strip bag. You need to consider waste categorisaton (though you may get awa with very small volumes), suitable containers that are properly colour coded, the containers themselves that need to me kept clean etc. Easiest option may be to get a contract for washroom hygiene services and have someone else deal with the entire issue including supplies, collection and disposal, and hygiene.
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