Accessibility statement

Sharps

 

Sharps boxes must be used for all obvious sharp items eg:


o    glass slides and coverslips
o    glass Pasteur pipettes
o    needles (typically attached to syringes)
o    scalpel blades
o    cocktail sticks
o    small glass vials / ampoules
  • Recyclable sharps boxes (yellow with red tops) are available from Biology Stores in 7.5 and 30.2 litre sizes. Cost of disposal (and small rental charge) is payable on return of full boxes to Stores. 
  • Further information for departmental users of the recyclable sharps bins.
  • These recyclable sharps boxes are from Stericycle and can be used for sharps waste materials that could also be contaminated with biological agents (including infectious agents) and chemicals / medicines (including anaesthetics). However, they should NOT be used for sharps contaminated with medicines with cytotoxic & cytostatic properties (i.e. toxic / carcinogenic / toxic for reproduction / mutagenic).
  • The recyclable sharps bins are NOT suitable for sharps that need autoclave treatment before disposal e.g. from CL3 lab facilities. The traditional yellow lidded (non-recyclable bins) will need to be purchased for this purpose.
  • Purple lidded sharps boxes can be used for all medicines (including those with cytotoxic & cytostatic properties (see above)).
  • Never put sharp objects in other waste containers as serious injuries to the cleaning staff or other staff handling waste can occur.
  • To avoid unnecessary risk of injury, needles MUST NEVER be removed from syringe bodies or re-sheathed.
  • Full boxes need to be taken to Biology Stores for final disposal.