Anatomical Waste Disposal
Anatomical waste is unavoidable in hospitals, healthcare organisations, laboratories and more. Unlike straightforward waste types such as glass and paper that you can easily recycle, removal and disposal of body parts, tissue, blood, and other bits of anatomical waste is strictly regulated. Arrange anatomical waste disposal that’s safe and legal with Business Waste.
If your business produces any kind of human or animal anatomical waste, it needs a clear management plan in place. We can provide you with free anatomical waste bins suited to the type and amount of waste you generate – you just pay for collection. Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online for a free quote and speak to an expert for the best solution.
Collections in the last 7 days
Fast, Free Quotation
Get a fast FREE quote for your anatomical waste collection
- Free quote within 1 hr
- Any type of anatomical waste
- FREE bins and delivery
- We cover all of the UK
What is anatomical waste?
Anatomical waste is any waste products containing human (or animal) tissue, blood, or body parts. It’s also referred to as pathological waste and often arises because of surgery, autopsy, research/investigation, and other kinds of treatment. Most anatomical waste is potentially infectious and classes as hazardous waste. In cases where you can prove it’s non-infectious, it may be treated as non-hazardous.
As it has the potential to be infectious, you must dispose of it carefully and in accordance with government regulations. It’s often classified as a form of clinical waste – so following the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012 for England and Wales and other regulations governing clinical waste is essential.
Examples of anatomical waste include:
- Organs
- Body parts
- Blood bags
- Blood
- Bodily fluids
- Animal carcasses
- Placentas
- Tissue samples
- Contaminated/soaked materials (PPE, bandages, swabs)
Who produces anatomical waste?
Anatomical waste is often produced at healthcare facilities. Organisations that deal with human or animal health at any point will likely encounter such waste as a by-product of your operations. It’s also generated by laboratories during testing procedures that use human and animal tissues, for example.
Some of the main places that require anatomical waste disposal include:
-
Hospitals and health centres
Hospitals and healthcare facilities are the main producers of anatomical waste due to the nature of their work. Examples include cadavers, blood bags, contaminated and soaked materials.
-
Veterinary practices
Vets also produce large amounts of anatomical waste. Examples include the waste leftover from surgical procedures or animal carcasses.
-
Funeral homes
Funeral homes and mortuaries generate anatomical waste that may be infectious. You need a robust waste management plan in place – especially when discretion and sensitivity are integral to the business.
-
Dentist practices
Dentist surgeries produce small amounts of anatomical waste. For example, after removing a tooth, gauze is often used to reduce bleeding and waste might be blood, blood bags or contaminated and soaked materials.
-
Laboratories
Laboratories or testing centres produce large volumes of anatomical waste when testing out new medications using tissue samples, or screening blood samples for signs of disease and infection.
-
Blood donation centres
Lots of waste blood, soaked and contaminated materials and other bits of anatomical waste are common products from blood donation centres. These need disposing safely and securely.
How does anatomical
waste collection work?
-
Select your free bins
It’s quick and easy to organise commercial waste collection for your business.
Simply start by telling us the:
- Type of waste you need removing
- Size of bins you require
- Number of bins you want
We’ll provide you with a free quote.
-
Arrange delivery
When you’re happy with the type, number, and size of free bins, tell us when you need your bins delivering.
Let us know about any access issues where you want the bins delivering – such as locked gates, access codes and times. We’ll get you up and running in no time.
-
Fill up your bin
After the free bins arrive at your chosen location, fill them up with the agreed waste type.
Make sure you remain within any weight limits for the specific waste type and bin size.
-
Get your business waste collected
We’ll arrange waste collection at a time and frequency to suit you and the amount of waste you have.
As featured in…
How to store and
dispose of anatomical waste
All anatomical waste should be viewed as hazardous waste. This means business owners must take particular care when storing it in their facility before collection. For example, business owners should:
- Ensure employees receive appropriate anatomical waste management and disposal training.
- Provide employees with easy access to anatomical waste bins, bags, and containers suited to the type and amount of waste produced.
- Have anatomical waste containers that are secure, lockable and with highly restricted access to the area. For example, you might lock the area or install security cameras.
- Clearly label all anatomical waste bins and arrange collection and disposal by a licensed waste carrier – who completes a waste transfer note.
- Keep a copy of your consignment notes for at least two years after your anatomical waste has been collected.
There are various codes you need to use when disposing of anatomical waste. These vary depending on whether the waste is from humans or animals and if it’s hazardous, infectious, or chemically preserved. The classification codes you need for anatomical waste are:
| Hazardous/non-hazardous | Human anatomical waste | Animal anatomical waste | |
| Not chemically preserved (infectious) | Hazardous | 18-01-03 | 18-02-02 |
| Not chemically preserved (non-infectious) | Non-hazardous | 18-01-02 | 18-02-03 |
| Chemically preserved (infectious or non-infectious) | Hazardous | 18-01-06 and 18-01-02/03 |
18-02-05 and 18-02-02/03 |
How is anatomical
waste disposed?
Anatomical waste must not end up in a landfill site due to the range of hazards this poses – both to human health and the environment. While lots of anatomical waste will decompose over time, its hazardous nature can be offensive to anyone exposed to it. Plus, it can leak in landfill to affect nearby soil and water supplies.
Therefore, once a licensed carrier collects your anatomical waste, they’ll safely transport it to a dedicated disposal facility near you. Then any anatomical waste is disposed of by incineration to get rid of it safely, as no other alternative treatments are usually suitable. This process breaks down the harmful chemicals present within the anatomical waste.
Anatomical waste
collection
At Business Waste, we take a flexible approach to waste management and collections. We know every business is different and requires a unique collection schedule. So, whether you want your anatomical waste collected daily, every fortnight, or once a month – we’ve got you covered.
You should ensure any anatomical waste isn’t left on your facility for too long though. Even if you only need a one-off collection, we can sort you out. Simply let us know the type of anatomical waste you need removing and how much you have, then we can deliver appropriate anatomical waste containers, bags, and bins to your facility.
After agreeing a collection schedule and delivering these bins, simply fill them within any weight limits and store safely and securely. We’ll then collect, transport, and dispose of your anatomical waste in a way that complies with all legislations and minimises the impact your business has on the environment.
Get a free quote for anatomical waste removal anywhere in the UK by calling us on 0800 211 8390 or contact us online. Someone from our friendly, expert team can answer any of your questions and advise on the right size and type of anatomical waste bags, bins, or containers to meet your needs.
Anatomical waste
bins and bags
There are various anatomical waste bags, bins, and containers to store different types of anatomical waste. The typical anatomical waste bag colour is red, making it easy for you and employees to properly segregate anatomical waste from other waste produced at their facility. Segregation is essential as it ensures businesses remain compliant with all government regulations.
Anatomical waste bins and containers are normally yellow with a red lid to show the waste contained is hazardous – non-hazardous bins may have a yellow lid. You can arrange for delivery and collection of one or more of the same or different anatomical waste bins, bags, and containers. Explore some of the main storage solutions for anatomical waste.
-
Red clinical waste bags
Red anatomical waste bags are highly durable and leak-proof, so they don’t damage easily or spill their contents. It can be safer to double-bag an anatomical waste bag to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
-
240L anatomical waste bin
This standard two-wheel bin can hold up to four bags of anatomical waste. It’s easy to move around both inside and outdoors when disposing of anatomical waste in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
-
660L anatomical waste bin
A larger four-wheel bin, this can hold up to ten bags of anatomical waste. They’re perfect for storing anatomical waste as they’re secure, lockable, and built to comply with all local and EU standards.
Read our reviews
James was very helpful and to be honest since starting with this company the service has been excellent.Christeen Norfolk
Anatomical waste
FAQs
-
What colour bin does anatomical waste go in?
The common anatomical waste bin colour is to have a red lid. The bin or container itself may be yellow but the lid should always be red – whether the waste is infectious or not. Any bins you use to store anatomical waste should be clearly labelled to avoid risk of exposure or contamination.
-
What is non-anatomical waste?
Non-anatomical waste should be separated from anatomical waste for disposal. There may seem to be some overlap, but the following are examples of non-anatomical waste that should be stored and disposed of in different clinical waste bins, bags, and containers:
- Sharps in contact with animal or human blood, biological fluids, or tissues
- Tissue or microbial cultures, and material contaminated by such cultures
- Live vaccines
- Containers or materials saturated with blood products
-
How do hospitals dispose of placentas?
As placentas class as anatomical waste, hospitals must dispose of them in the same way as other types of waste body parts. However, some hospitals may keep the placenta in appropriate storage for longer than usual if it needs analysing for any reason.
Otherwise, hospitals will store placentas in anatomical waste bins and arrange collection by a licensed carrier. Then they’ll be transported to an appropriate facility, checked, and treated, before being incinerated.
Get a fast, free quote for anatomical waste removal
Get a fast FREE quote for your anatomical waste disposal
- Free quote within 1 hr
- Any type of anatomical waste
- FREE bins and delivery
- We cover all of the UK