{{org_field_logo}}

{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

---

Clinical and Hygiene Products Waste Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all clinical and hygiene waste generated during the provision of home care by {{org_field_name}} is managed safely, legally, and hygienically. Proper waste management is critical for infection prevention, environmental responsibility, and compliance with CQC Regulation 12 – Safe Care and Treatment. This policy outlines our procedures for identifying, segregating, storing, and disposing of clinical and hygiene waste in a way that protects staff, people we support, and the wider community.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff employed or contracted by {{org_field_name}}, including carers, healthcare assistants, nurses (if applicable), and support staff delivering services in people’s homes or handling waste generated during care delivery. It includes both clinical waste (e.g. dressings, PPE, sharps) and hygiene waste (e.g. incontinence pads, sanitary items, gloves, aprons).

3. Related Policies

• CH11 – Safe Care and Treatment Policy
• CH16 – Health and Safety at Work Policy
• CH17 – Infection Prevention and Control Policy
• CH22 – Handling and Disposal of Hazardous Substances Policy
• CH24 – Management of Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses Policy
• CH34 – Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR) – Service User Policy

4. Policy Statement and Responsibilities

Commitment to Safe and Legal Waste Management
{{org_field_name}} is committed to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and safety in all care environments, including the effective handling of waste. All clinical and hygiene waste is handled in accordance with the Department of Health’s Health Technical Memorandum (HTM 07-01), the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), and Environment Agency requirements. Staff are trained to apply best practice and take individual responsibility for safe waste management.

Definitions

• Clinical Waste: Waste arising from medical care which may pose a risk of infection or injury. Includes used dressings, sharps (needles), bodily fluids, contaminated PPE.
• Hygiene Waste: Non-infectious but offensive waste such as incontinence pads, sanitary products, gloves, nappies.
• Sharps Waste: Any item that can puncture skin and carries a risk of contamination, such as needles or lancets.

Waste Segregation
Proper segregation is essential to avoid cross-contamination and comply with waste classification laws. Staff must:

• Use orange/yellow bags for clinical infectious waste
• Use tiger-striped bags for offensive (hygiene) waste
• Use sharps boxes (UN-approved and colour-coded) for used needles or similar items
  All waste must be segregated at the point of production. Staff must never mix clinical waste with domestic or recyclable waste.

Waste Collection in Home Care
Where clinical or hygiene waste is generated during care in people’s homes, {{org_field_name}} will:

• Advise and support service users/families in accessing their Local Authority’s clinical waste collection service
• Provide waste bags, sharps bins, and sealing devices where needed
• Instruct staff to label and securely store waste in accordance with local authority protocols
• Ensure all PPE and care items used are bagged and stored as per the waste classification
• Instruct staff never to transport clinical waste in personal or company vehicles unless authorised and trained

Sharps Handling and Disposal
Sharps must be disposed of immediately after use in an appropriate sharps container. Staff must:

• Never re-sheath or recap needles
• Use portable sharps bins for visits involving injections or blood glucose testing
• Lock sharps bins when ¾ full and arrange collection via the local authority
• Record all sharps incidents and dispose of bins according to HTM 07-01 guidelines
  Accidents involving sharps must be reported, documented under CH24, and followed up with a risk assessment and staff support.

Storage and Infection Prevention
All waste must be stored safely until collected. In a home care setting, this means:

• Using lined containers with secure lids
• Storing waste out of reach of children or pets
• Ensuring hands are washed and gloves changed before and after handling waste
• Following all guidance provided in CH17 – Infection Prevention and Control Policy
  The Infection Control Lead ({{org_field_infection_control_lead_name}} – {{org_field_infection_control_lead_role}}) is responsible for auditing infection control practices and advising on safe waste handling.

Training and Competence
All care staff receive training on:

• Identifying different types of waste
• Using and sealing appropriate waste bags
• Safe PPE disposal
• Infection prevention measures related to waste
• Local authority clinical waste collection processes
  Refresher training is conducted annually or following updates in legislation or procedures.

Audit and Monitoring
The Registered Manager and Infection Control Lead will:

• Audit waste handling practices quarterly
• Review any reported waste handling incidents
• Monitor compliance with COSHH and HTM 07-01 standards
• Take corrective action where gaps are identified
  Findings are recorded and used to improve training and procedures under the framework of Regulation 17 – Good Governance.

Service User Information and Support
Where appropriate, {{org_field_name}} will provide information to the people we support and their families about safe hygiene waste storage and local collection services. We will support those who require assistance to register for clinical waste collections or who have mobility or cognitive impairments that limit safe disposal.

Data Protection and Waste
Waste that contains identifiable personal data (e.g. prescription labels) must be destroyed in line with CH34 – Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR) Policy. This includes defacing or shredding labels before disposal.

5. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required by regulatory changes, local authority protocol updates, or changes in organisational operations. The Registered Manager will ensure all staff are kept up to date with any revisions.

---

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.