Clinical wastes are classified as:

• Group A – All human tissue, including blood, soiled dressings swabs and other soiled waste from treatment areas, animal carcasses
• Group B – Discarded syringes, needles, cartridges, broken glass and other sharp instruments
• Group C – Does not apply to householders
• Group D – Certain pharmaceutical and chemical waste
• Group E – Items used to dispose of urine, faeces and other bodily secretions, this includes used incontinence pads, stoma bags, catheter bags and tubes and urine containers.

Householders are only likely to be affected by groups A, B, D, and E. If you require disposal of any of these materials you can arrange for a clinical waste collection from your home from your local council.

You will need to contact them and explain the types of waste you have and they will organise a collection accordingly.

Householders are urged to package all clinical waste securely and safely and you may receive more advice on how to do this from your local council as they arrange the collection. Under no circumstances should clinical waste be flushed down the toilet.

Doctors' surgeries will normally accept the return of sharps (syringes/glass etc), and it is sometimes possible to take medicine back to the pharmacy, a few operate DUMP schemes (Disposal of Unwanted Medicines and Poisons). You will need to contact your local pharmacy to see if they are one of them. All Boots the Chemist stores that have a dispensing chemist on site take back unwanted medicines.

Despite incontinence pads being included in the above classification, nappies and sanitary wear are not covered as they originate from a healthy population. The 'Bag it and Bin it' advice from Thames water explains the preferred course of action for householders with these types of waste.

Under special circumstances you may need contract cleaners and a full clinical service. Please contact your local council who will be able to help you.