Cytotoxic and Cytostatic Waste Disposal
We can arrange cytotoxic and cytostatic waste disposal for hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, care providers, and many other businesses across the UK.
Any cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines, or items contaminated by them such as suitable PPE, wipes, medicine containers and sharps, can be collected. Our service provides specialist bags and containers free of charge, with one-off or scheduled collections available at your discretion.
Tell us what waste you produce, how much there is and whether it includes medicines, clinical waste or sharps. We’ll confirm the correct container and collection route.
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What is cytotoxic and cytostatic waste?
Cytotoxic and cytostatic waste includes medicines with hazardous properties such as acute toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity or toxicity to reproduction, along with certain waste contaminated by those medicines. This can include unused or expired medicines as well as PPE, wipes, packaging or sharps contaminated during their preparation or administration.
There are two types of cytotoxic and cytostatic waste:
- Medicinal products that are toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction. These drugs are used to treat cancer or similar conditions. Such waste could include expired or leftover medication in the form of tablets, liquids, and creams. These products are particularly dangerous if not disposed of correctly, as the drugs themselves are designed to either kill cells or inhibit cell growth.
- Contaminated waste. Due to the dangers associated with cytotoxic and cytostatic medication, any items or products that come into contact with the drugs also class as cytotoxic and cytostatic waste. For example, this could be gloves or garments worn by a medical professional to handle such medication.
Cytotoxic and cytostatic waste examples
Examples of cytotoxic and cytostatic waste include:
- Expired or unused cytotoxic/cytostatic medicines
- Medicine vials and containers with residues
- Blister packs contaminated with relevant medicines
- Gloves, wipes and PPE contaminated with cytotoxic/cytostatic medicines
- Dressings or patches contaminated with relevant medicines
- Needles, syringes and other sharps contaminated with cytotoxic/cytostatic medicines
- Hormonal medication, immunosuppressants and some antiviral medicines or antibiotics with cytotoxic/cytostatic properties
Cytotoxic and cytostatic waste classification and paperwork
Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines are hazardous waste. In England, human healthcare cytotoxic/cytostatic medicines use waste code 18 01 08*, while animal healthcare uses 18 02 07*. Different coding can apply where infectious waste or sharps are also contaminated with these medicines.
As cytotoxic and cytostatic waste is potentially hazardous, meaning it could threaten human life and the environment, there are various regulations in place that dictate how it should be disposed of. This includes the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 (COSHH). It’s a law that requires employers to control substances hazardous to health.
Businesses need to keep the waste correctly segregated, use the appropriate container and transfer it through an authorised hazardous healthcare waste route. The required movement paperwork varies across the UK.
When handling cytotoxic and cytostatic waste, you should:
- Reduce the risk of infection spreading (from contaminated products to staff/members of the public).
- Ensure clinical waste is stored separately from general waste, to reduce the chances of cross-contamination.
- Prevent illegal use or reuse of the products.
- Ensure that hazardous waste is disposed of correctly, away from landfill.
- Protect the environment.
Who produces cytotoxic and cytostatic waste?
Most of the businesses that produce cytotoxic and cytostatic waste operate within the healthcare industry, where such medication is administered daily. Some of the main sectors producing this waste type include:
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Laboratories
Research and testing involving relevant medicines can result in expired drugs, samples, PPE and contaminated containers.
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Pharmacies
Pharmacies can produce expired, returned or otherwise unusable cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines.
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Hospitals
Doctors’ surgeries and hospitals are a prime producer of cytotoxic and cytostatic waste, as it’s where most conditions are treated and medicines distributed daily.
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Vets
Veterinary cancer treatment can produce cytotoxic/cytostatic medicine waste and contaminated sharps or materials.
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Care homes
Where residents receive regular medical treatment for cancer and other conditions, any contaminated items or expired medication can create waste.
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Beauty salons
Syringes and unused Botox injections are common examples of cytotoxic and cytostatic waste in beauty salons and aesthetic clinics.
How does cytotoxic and cytostatic waste collection work?
- Tell us what waste you produce – Let us know whether you have unused medicines, medicine-contaminated PPE or dressings, sharps or another cytotoxic/cytostatic waste stream.
- Receive the correct container – We confirm whether the waste requires a purple clinical waste bag, purple-lidded sharps container or another healthcare waste container.
- Keep the stream separate – Store cytotoxic and cytostatic waste separately from other medicines, infectious waste, offensive waste and general waste.
- Arrange collection and treatment – Collections are arranged through registered waste carriers and sent to an authorised healthcare waste facility for the appropriate high-temperature incineration route.
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How to store cytotoxic and cytostatic waste
You must ensure all cytotoxic and cytostatic waste is stored safely and securely on your premises before collection. This helps reduce cross-contamination and keeps your employees and the general public safe. It should be kept in a purple cytotoxic and cytostatic waste bag or purple lidded clinical waste bin.
These are designed to specifically store cytotoxic and cytostatic waste, which makes it simple to separate different types of clinical waste if your organisation produces a variety. Keep these bags and bins in a secure, dry place before collection to prevent contamination from the likes of rainwater and prevent unauthorised persons accessing and being exposed to this potentially hazardous waste.
To store cytotoxic and cytostatic waste safely and appropriately, business owners should:
- Make all employees aware of the dangers associated with cytotoxic and cytostatic waste.
- Keep cytotoxic and cytostatic waste separate from other healthcare waste before collection.
- Put together a dedicated waste management plan.
- Ensure all waste is segregated correctly and stored in the appropriate bags, bins, and containers.
- Put necessary security measures in place so cytotoxic and cytostatic waste is stored in a secure environment, such as a gated area.
- Clearly label all waste before collection.
How is cytotoxic and cytostatic waste disposed of?
In England, waste containing cytotoxic or cytostatic medicines requires high-temperature incineration above 1,000°C. This applies to the medicines themselves and waste contaminated with them. After collection and transportation to a relevant facility, your cytotoxic and cytostatic waste will be placed in a high-temperature incinerator, with temperatures reaching up to 1100°C to destroy this hazardous waste type.
In some cases, the cytotoxic waste disposal procedure may involve chemical degradation. This is only possible for the actual cytotoxic and cytostatic medications, as it’s where the chemical substances are broken down. It’s a much rarer disposal method and will only be used if experts at the relevant facility believe it best.
Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines are not suitable for an ordinary landfill route. They require the authorised incineration route for this healthcare waste stream. With Business Waste, you can rest easy knowing we never send cytotoxic and cytostatic waste to landfill. We do everything in our power to reduce the environmental impact our practices have to help you keep the planet clean and manage your waste.
Cytotoxic and cytostatic waste collection
At Business Waste, we can put together a waste collection plan that works for you and adapts to your schedule. Arrange one-off, daily, weekly, or fortnightly collections where available. Every business is unique, so choose a schedule that suits the amount you produce.
Tell us what waste you produce and which containers you currently use, and we’ll confirm the collection setup and quote. Collections are arranged through registered waste carriers, with the relevant hazardous-waste movement documentation provided – we’ll also help you deal with the necessary paperwork, including how to complete a waste transfer note where required. Rest assured that the collection and disposal of such waste is done in a safe and legal manner, compliant with all relevant regulations.
We’ll deliver free bins and bags to your premises for you to fill within their weight limits. You just pay for collection and leave them in an agreed and accessible place for quick and easy removal. Order one or more bags and bins to suit the amount of waste you generate.
Get a free quote for cytotoxic and cytostatic waste collection and disposal. Simply call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online. Wherever your business is based in the UK and whatever industry you operate in, we’ll find a solution to safely get rid of your waste with ease.
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Cytotoxic and cytostatic waste bags and bins
There are various cytotoxic and cytostatic waste bags and bins you can use to store such hazardous waste. Most of these are purple waste bags or clinical waste bins with a purple lid. It’s important you use these to separate clinical waste types for safe storage that avoids any cross-contamination.
Find a cytotoxic waste bag or cytostatic waste bin right for your business.
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Cytotoxic and cytostatic purple waste bags
Purple clinical waste bags are the most common and effective way to store cytotoxic and cytostatic waste. You can tie them securely to prevent any spills and as they’re bright purple it also minimises the chance of putting the wrong waste items into such bags.
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Wheelie bins
Cytotoxic and cytostatic waste bags should be stored in an appropriate container once they’re filled. This can include wheelie bins, which are lockable and easy to transport. They can also be colour coded to reduce the chances of cross-contamination.
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Sharps bins
Sharps bins should be used to store any sharps that may have come into contact with cytotoxic or cytostatic waste products. This includes needles, syringes, scalpels, and lancets. Cytotoxic and cytostatic sharps bins are yellow with a purple lid.
Cytotoxic and cytostatic waste FAQs
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Who uses cytotoxic and cytostatic waste products?
The main products that make up cytotoxic and cytostatic waste are likely handled by those who work within the healthcare industry. This means people who may regularly handle cytotoxic and cytostatic waste products can include:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Clinicians
- Laboratory workers
- Pharmacists
- Vets
- Healthcare specialists
- Carers
The products are also used by those receiving medical treatment, either as an inpatient or within their own homes.
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What does cytotoxic mean?
Cytotoxic means a substance that is toxic to cells and kills them. They can prevent cancer cells from dividing and help tumours shrink by killing such cells. Their genotoxic properties mean that cytotoxic medication is often used within chemotherapy treatment.
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Is cytostatic the same as cytotoxic?
No, even though cytostatic and cytotoxic are often used together and interchangeably, there are subtle differences. Cytostatic medications inhibit cell growth and division, while cytotoxic medication is toxic to cells – as their name suggests. While cytostatic medicines work to prevent cancer cell growth, cytotoxic medication simply kills the cancerous cells. However, when it comes to waste, due to their similarities they can both be disposed of together.
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What happens if you touch cytotoxic drugs?
If you touch cytotoxic medication and expose healthy skin cells to it, this can damage regular cellular division. In the short term it may just cause a rash, while long term effects can be more serious. Therefore, healthcare workers wear protective equipment such as gloves when handling cytotoxic waste.
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What is the symbol for cytotoxic waste?
The symbol used on cytotoxic and cytostatic waste bins and bags is a triangle with the letter C inside. This identifies the waste as hazardous. It should normally be present on any purple clinical waste bags or purple-lidded sharps bins.
Get a fast, free quote for cytotoxic and cytostatic waste removal
Get a fast FREE quote for your cytotoxic and cytostatic waste
- Free quote within 1 hour
- Cytotoxic and cytostatic waste assessed
- FREE bins and delivery
- Nationwide UK coverage
Published 20th April 2022 by Mark Hall. Last modified 9th September 2026