Clinical Waste Regulations
Clinical waste can be hazardous or harmful and cannot be disposed of in regular waste receptacles, general waste bins, skips or recyclate bins. It is commonly produced in hospitals, labs, and clinics but can also be produced in other types of businesses or homes. It could be anything from human or animal tissue, to drugs or medicines, pharmaceutical products, needles or syringes (and other sharp objects), swabs or dressings.
All businesses have a legal responsibility to dispose of clinical waste safely, and it is part of the statutory duty of employers under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and Hazardous Waste regulations made under the Environmental Protection Act.
The safe disposal of clinical waste must be managed in line with several other regulations which relate to the storage, collection and disposal of clinical waste. An extensive, but though exhaustive, list of the legislation and regulations includes:
- Controlled Waste Regulations 2012
- The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
- Hazardous Waste Directive 2011
- Carriage Of Dangerous Goods Regulations 2009
- Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005
- List of Wastes Regulations 2005
- Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 2003
- COSHH Regulations 2002
- The Environmental Protection Act 1990
Breach of the regulations by an employer or employee is a crime, punishable by summary conviction or on indictment by an unlimited fine.
So what is clinical waste?
Clinical waste can pose a risk of infection when handled. There are many different types of clinical waste, each requiring special care in its disposal. Understanding clinical waste can help you dispose of it correctly and prevent contamination, the main categories for clinical waste are:
- Infectious waste containing pathogens
- Pharmaceutical waste
- Pathological waste containing human tissue or fluid
- Chemical waste
- Sharp wastes
- Radioactive waste
- Pressurised containers
- High heavy metal content
Understanding the importance of proper clinical waste management is essential for any business with the above waste. We offer professional services that ensure complete compliance with UK regulations, whether it’s advice, collection, treatment, or disposal, we’re here to help you at every step. We can take care of all the paperwork related to our collections, which means you can have the documentation you need to prove your compliance with UK waste regulations.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote on our expert waste management services. We’re always happy to help!
World Oceans Day 2023
Today is World Oceans Day, a day to reflect on the ocean's vital role. The ocean is home to countless plants and animals, from tiny single-celled organisms to the majestic blue whale.
Marine plants provide us with approximately 50-70% of the oxygen we breathe, while the ocean also 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, helping to mitigate the effects of global warming.
The ocean also plays a crucial role in regulating our climate, providing warmth in the winter and cool breezes in the summer. Additionally, it provides us with food, medicines, and transportation. However, there are pressing issues that threaten the health of our oceans. Plastic pollution, particularly single-use items like bags and bottles, is a significant concern that has been the focus of World Oceans Day campaigns for several years.
Climate change and rising sea temperatures are also serious problems, as they directly affect weather patterns and put marine organisms at risk. The increasing acidity of seawater due to rising carbon dioxide levels is yet another challenge we must address. Let us take this day to reflect on the importance of our oceans and commit to protecting them.
As a business, how can we take a stand and support our oceans' ecosystem? If you know of any pioneering businesses in this area, please comment below! We'd love to hear about them.
As a business how can we support World Earth Day?
World Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22nd to raise awareness and encourage action to protect the environment. It is a day to remind us of the importance of sustainable living and how we can make a difference in the world.
Businesses play a crucial role in the fight against climate change and can support World Earth Day in several ways.
Firstly, businesses can promote sustainable practices within their operations. For example, they can adopt environmentally friendly policies such as reducing waste, using renewable energy sources, and conserving water. They can also encourage employees to reduce their carbon footprint by using public transport or cycling to work. By taking such steps, businesses can reduce their environmental impact and help mitigate climate change.
Secondly, businesses can partner with environmental organisations to support their activities. For example, they can sponsor tree planting or countryside/beach clean-up activities. They can also donate to organizations that work to protect the environment or support research on climate change. Such partnerships can raise awareness of the environmental challenges facing our planet and encourage individuals to take action.
Thirdly, businesses can use World Earth Day to launch or promote sustainable products and services. They can showcase how their products are eco-friendly and sustainable and how they are contributing to the fight against climate change. This can be an excellent way for businesses to increase their brand visibility and promote their commitment to environmental sustainability.
Fourthly, businesses can organize events or campaigns that promote environmental sustainability. For example, they can organise a cycling or walking event to promote low-carbon transport. They can also organise educational campaigns that raise awareness of the importance of reducing waste or conserving energy. Such initiatives can help to mobilize people to take action and create a positive impact on the environment.
Lastly, businesses can support World Earth Day by promoting environmental sustainability in their supply chains. They can work with their suppliers to ensure they are also committed to sustainable practices. They can also encourage their customers to adopt eco-friendly practices and promote their sustainable products.
To conclude, businesses can play a vital role in supporting World Earth Day by adopting sustainable practices, partnering with environmental organizations, promoting sustainable products and services, organizing events and campaigns, and promoting environmental sustainability in their supply chains. By doing so, businesses can positively impact the environment and contribute to the fight against climate change. Ultimately, protecting our planet is a shared responsibility, and everyone, including businesses, must take action to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
We're just scratching the surface here, but If you're ready to move to become more sustainable, get in touch, and we'll be happy to review your waste management processes and carbon emissions.
Easter Holiday Closures
The Easter holidays will soon be upon us and like many of you, we'll be taking a few days off. We will be CLOSED:
- Bank Holiday Friday 7th April
- Saturday 8th April
- Sunday 9th April
- Bank Holiday 10th April
During this period, we will not be responding to emails but will pick them up on our return on Tuesday 11th April.
Please also note all customers should let us know their opening times by Thursday 30th May. To avoid any ‘wasted journey charges’ due to site closures, please provide the following information to our customer services team
Company Name
Site and Postcode
Please give site access details for all of the below dates, including your open times
Good Friday 7th April
Saturday 8th April
Easter Sunday 9th April
Bank Holiday Monday 10th April
Please also advise if you would like any scheduled waste collections that are likely to be affected rescheduled for an earlier/later date (this may not always be possible, but we will always try our best to accommodate your business needs.)
If you do not request a reschedule or inform us of closure, your waste collection will be completed as usual.
Time to give the office a spring clean?
At this time of year, when preparing for the financial end of year, it's common to unearth files upon files of financial information and other documentation. However, it presents the perfect opportunity to declutter and reorganise your workspace for the year ahead.
Both financial and GDPR documentation is sensitive information and must be disposed of securely. If not, your company could be open to a security breach. In contrast, GDPR fines are a potential outcome of not complying with legal regulations when using and storing people's personal information.
Secure confidential paper shredding should be used when removing out-of-date financial information, personal information, and other sensitive information. Footprint Recycling offers a range of various services, both on and off-site, to suit most requirements when it comes to secure destruction, and we will provide an official Certificate of Destruction when we have completed the job so that you can feel safe in the knowledge that your documents have been securely destroyed, legally and ethically.
Whether you require regular, ad-hoc, or one-off confidential paper shredding services, we provide a compliant, highly professional, secure, convenient, and cost-effective solution to all your paper shredding.
If you would like to chat about paper shredding or recycling, please call us on 01484 660770 or email us.
2023 New Regulations around Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
From 1st January 2023 new legislation from the Environment Agency came into effect regarding the storage and disposal of waste upholstered domestic seating containing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
From this date, upholstered furniture containing POPs cannot be safely disposed of in general waste or in landfill sites and should be treated as a separate waste stream. This means that these items must be safely disposed of through incineration.
POPs are poisonous chemical substances that remain intact in the environment for long periods and are harmful to the environment, wildlife and humans if they are not disposed of safely.
Investigative work carried out by The Environment Agency has identified quantities of POPs and other hazardous chemicals in the foam of upholstered seating.
Upholstered waste domestic seating examples, this includes any part made of or containing leather, synthetic leather, other fabric, or foam:
- Sofas
- Sofa beds
- Armchairs
- Kitchen and dining room chairs
- Stools and foot stools
- Home office chairs
- Futons
- Bean bags, floor and sofa cushions
The following items of domestic seating are unlikely to contain POPs:
- Items that are not upholstered, without cushions.
- Deckchairs
- Wastes from manufacturing new domestic seating (and the manufacturer can demonstrate do not to contain POPs)
- Mattresses, curtains, blinds and beds are not domestic seating and are not covered by this guidance.
POPs may also be found in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), this may include:
- Office equipment – non-household types such as photocopiers and printers
- Printed circuit boards
- Cables and granulated cable plastics
- Plastic cases from display devices (flat panel displays and cathode ray tubes)
For more details on WEEE that may contain POPs please visit the .gov website for further details.
Customers must inform us if they have any upholstered furniture containing POPs so we can arrange safe and legal collection. Please note we are no longer able to collect any of these items if they are left outside as part of your general or other waste.
For further information about the new regulations, visit .gov.
Looking after you at Christmas
On behalf of all us at Footprint Recycling, we would like to thank all our customers and suppliers personally for our continued success in 2022, and take this opportunity to wish you and all your families a fantastic Christmas and New Year.
We'd also like to extend our thanks and Christmas wishes to all our colleagues at Footprint Recycling for their support throughout the year.
We'll be taking a few days off over the holidays but will be open in and amongst, if you need to contact us we'll be open🌲 on the following dates:
Friday 23rd - our offices will close at 3.30 pm
Monday 26th - Tuesday 27th - our offices are CLOSED
Wednesday 28th - Friday 30th - our offices are OPEN
Monday 2nd January - our offices are CLOSED
Tuesday 3rd January - OPEN AS NORMAL.
We hope 2023 brings success and prosperity to you all.
Clare & Robyn
HOMELESSNESS IS ON THE RISE
As darker, colder, and wetter nights set in, we’ve received more reports from suppliers and industry colleagues about people taking shelter or sleeping in and around waste bins.
With surging homelessness in the UK, there has been an increase in people taking shelter and sleeping rough in waste bins. Unfortunately, this has resulted in several deaths of vulnerable people over the years. It’s not just homelessness that forces people to take shelter in bins. One in 10 cases of someone sheltering in a bin involves people on a night out.
Homelessness is a serious issue that we should all be aware of, both professionally and privately. We all need to play a part in helping others stay safe, everyone deserves to have a roof over their head, so please be alert to those in need this winter
If you have a waste bin or large container on your premises please:
Check, Look, Think
- Check your locks on bins – are they broken/working
- Is there evidence of someone using the bin as shelter, take a look around the bin ie, makeshift steps, open lids
- Raise awareness amongst staff by creating a company campaign.
If you suspect or are concerned about someone sleeping rough, please contact your local authority or one of these charitable organisation for advice.
Shelter
Crisis
Your Local Authority
StreeLink
PANTHER PARTNERS WITH FOOTPRINT RECYCLING TO TAKE SUSTAINABILITY PLEDGE TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Leading two-person white glove delivery specialist Panther Group has joined forces with total waste management firm Footprint Recycling to help them reduce their carbon footprint, taking them a step closer to achieving their Net Zero pledge.
In recent years, as a part of its ESG pledge, Panther has vastly increased its commitment to improving its environmental impact by keeping its waste unpolluted and to a minimum by following best practices. They have increased recycling measures, conserved energy more efficiently, and used environmentally friendly technologies.
To take its commitment one step further, the business has even set a target to implement a zero-waste culture throughout every aspect of its operations.
Having provided a comprehensive range of sustainable waste and recycling solutions to a wide range of sectors since 2008, Footprint Recycling is passionate about helping businesses manage their waste, reduce their carbon footprints and achieve their sustainability goals.
Since partnering with recycling specialist Footprint, Panther has greatly improved their recycling and environmental credentials. To date this year alone, Panther has recycled more than 453 tonnes of cardboard, plastic, and expanded polystyrene, 226 tonnes of general waste, 144 tonnes of TVs, and over 50,000 old mattresses collected and recycled on behalf of its customers and 25,000 tonnes of metal from washing machine bodies also recycled. The company’s carbon footprint by installing energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the depots has also improved by 60%.
And ever mindful of the need to provide a ‘green’ ethical service, Panther provides a furniture recycling service and closely adheres to the WEEE Directive.
Panther can now boast that 80 percent of its waste is recycled – with an aim to increase that figure to 90 percent over the next 12 months.
As part of its long-term sustainable energy programme the company is collaborating with Ev3power and is considering solar, wind turbine, and hydrogen options to power its operations and are also considering electric and hydrogen options for its fleet.
In recent weeks Panther has conducted a number of electric vehicle trials and now boasts a forklift fleet that is 60 percent electric.
Guy Burgess, Logistics Director commented: “With combatting climate change currently at the forefront of the global agenda, we have chosen to partner with Footprint Recycling to further improve our environmental impact and make a positive difference to our ecosystem.
“As a business, we are already making huge strides in making long-term and sustainable changes by pushing sustainability in every aspect of the business. Ingraining environmental consciousness within the company’s culture and Footprint Recycling will be a fundamental driver in helping us to facilitate this.
“No longer is it acceptable for companies to provide a 'sustainability statement' as consumers are far savvier and more discerning about how they spend their money and what businesses they’re willing to support and trade with.
“More than that though it’s vital that as a growing business we respond to the current climate crisis and act accordingly. The government has set a pledge for the UK to achieve Net Zero status by 2050, and as a company that strives for sustainability, we want to join the fight against global warming by driving down our environmental impact over the coming years.”
Robyn Brook, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Footprint Recycling commented: “Our business is built on a foundation of helping our customers embrace the circular economy and improve their sustainability with a focus on achieving zero waste to landfill through recycling and reducing emissions.
“With pressure on businesses, like Panther, to do more to minimise their environmental impacts, our aim is not only to manage waste but to challenge the industry norms by developing processes bespoke to each client and introducing new ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.
“We’ve been working with Panther for several years, over which we have developed a fantastic relationship that allows us to continually strive and look at new ways to help them improve their environmental credentials and assist with their sustainability journey.”
Bank Holiday Monday 19th September, 2022
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Hugely respected and loved by people worldwide, Queen Elizabeth was our longest-serving Monarch with 70 years of commitment, dedication, and service to our Country and the Commonwealth.
Having only ever known one Monarch, the Queen has been the strength and stay of our nation for generations. The Queen once said of her late husband, Prince Phillip, "He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know."
Wise words that translate to how we feel today.
Our Queen always acted with remarkable grace and composure, she was patient and wise, she was a beacon of light in dark times, she was our pillar of strength and stability, she was steadfast and unwavering, compassionate and understanding. For these qualities and more, she inspired genuine affection from across the world.
She will be long remembered, and we are thankful for all she has done. Our thoughts go to The Royal Family during this challenging time.
Please note as a mark of respect, our offices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 19th September to witness and honor our late Queen. R.I.P Should your scheduled lift fall on the Bank Holiday, PLEASE BE AWARE that we will not automatically reschedule your service. Should you wish your services to be rescheduled please contact our customer services team on 01484 660770.