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Clinical waste

Important information about sharps collections

Barnsley Council does not currently provide a household sharps collection service.

We recognise that changes to disposal arrangements in some areas may make it more difficult for you to dispose of full sharps boxes. We are currently working with partners to identify a solution and will update this page when further information is available.

Please see the Medical sharps section on this page, for guidance on the safe storage and disposal of sharps boxes in the meantime.

We can provide support for households that produce clinical (medical) waste because of a medical condition.

Most healthcare waste produced at home can be disposed of safely through your normal household waste collection. However, some types of clinical waste, including infectious waste and medical sharps, require special handling and disposal.

If you are paying for your healthcare or private prescriptions including weight loss injections, you will need to make arrangements for the safe disposal of this waste through your provider.

Non-infectious healthcare waste

Most non-infectious healthcare waste produced at home can be securely bagged and disposed of in your grey bin.

This includes items such as:

  • incontinence pads

  • nappies

  • catheter bags

  • stoma bags

  • tubing

  • PEG or stomach feeding equipment

  • sanitary protection products

Waste collected in your grey bin is processed before taken to an energy recovery facility where it is used to generate heat and electricity.

Need more capacity?

If your medical condition means you're producing more waste than your grey bin can accommodate, you can apply for an additional grey bin.

Infectious healthcare waste

If you have a medically diagnosed infection, any healthcare waste related to that infection may be classed as infectious waste and could require specialist treatment.

Please contact your healthcare provider for advice and disposal arrangements.

Medical sharps

Medical sharps are items that could cause cuts or puncture injuries. These include:

  • needles and the needle component of syringes

  • scalpels and other blades

  • the patient end of an infusion set

If you need to inject medication at home, for example insulin for diabetes, your GP or healthcare professional should arrange an appropriately colour-coded sharps container and advise you on its safe use.

Using a sharps box safely

When your sharps container reaches the fill line:

  • securely close and lock the lid

  • follow the manufacturer's instructions to seal the container

  • store the sealed container safely out of the reach of children and pets

  • never place sharps, needles or sealed sharps boxes in your household bins.

Disposal of full sharps boxes

Medical sharps and sharps boxes must be disposed of safely and appropriately.

At present, Barnsley Council does not provide a household sharps collection service. The collection and transportation of sharps waste requires specialist arrangements and legally compliant vehicles.

We are currently reviewing options with healthcare partners to identify an appropriate and sustainable solution for residents and will update this webpage when further information becomes available.

What to do if a sharps box is full

If your sharps box is full:

  • contact your GP surgery, specialist nurse or healthcare practitioner for advice on disposal arrangements;

  • check whether your pharmacy accepts sealed sharps boxes;

  • if no disposal option is currently available, store the sealed sharps box safely and securely until further guidance is available.

Please do not place sharps boxes in any household waste or recycling container.