Covid testing waste – Lateral flow waste collection and disposal

Covid test swabs
Lateral flow devices
Test tubes
Packaging
PPE (Gloves, masks etc.)

The waste codes asscoiated with testing waste are EWC 180104 and 180107.

Whilst we provide businesses with a immediate quote, we have put a specialist team in place to deal with urgent bin, bag and container delivery.

We are passionate about our work and hope to provide you with flexible plans that are best suited to your needs. As a result of this, we have 1,3,6 and 12-month contracts on offer.

Any waste associated with COVID-19 must be disposed of safely and securely. As a result, we strive to provide the best services possible for our clients. We will provide you with all of the equipment you need to store your waste before collection. The waste will then be transferred to a specialist facility. In terms of COVID-19 waste, it is typically disposed of via incineration.

Yellow and Black Clinical Waste bags

PPE equipment, such as face masks and gloves, should be disposed of in Yellow and Black Clinical Waste bags as they are classed as ‘offensive waste’. The bags are also known as ‘Tiger Sacks’, due to their pattern.

Clear bags

Waste from lateral flow tests, such as the swabs and slides, should be stored in clear bags. Again, you must ensure that it is stored securely.

45L units

Once your bag is full, it should be stored in a 45l unit before collection. Depending upon the amount of waste you produce, you can have as many 45l units as required.

Pre-paid waste bags

Lateral flow testing also includes a large amount of packaging. However, this can be disposed of much easier and can be group with your general waste or dry mixed recycling.

Sharps Bins

Sharps bins are used, rather simply, to store any products that could be considered ‘sharp’, such as needles. Therefore, they are necessary if your facility is offering vaccinations or other tests.

At BusinessWaste, we offer highly flexible services that allow us to schedule waste collection as frequently as required. In addition to one-off collections, we provide daily, weekly, fortnightly and monthly collection schedules.

GP surgeries
Covid testing centres
Schools
Carehomes
University’s
Restaurants
Cinemas
Warehouses
Factories
Offices
Drug clinics
Hospitals

Lateral flow tests (or, rapid tests), are set to become commonplace across the UK in the coming months. This is because they provide results within just 30 minutes. Whilst beforehand, they were used predominantly by those working within the Healthcare sector; various different industries will use them to allow businesses to return to normalcy. For example, plans are being put into place to allow for lateral flow testing to take place at Cinemas, Restaurants, Airports and even warehouses such as Amazon.

A swab is taken from inside the nose/mouth.
The swab is then mixed with a buffer solution, which causes it to release virus fragments.
The buffer solution breaks up the virus fragments.
A small amount of the solution is then dropped into a lateral flow device, including a small absorbent strip.
The absorbent strip contains antibodies, which can bind to viral fragments. This means we can see whether or not the user has Covid-19.