08 February 2012
PDF File 87KB file details)
If your or a family member have medical waste (also known as clinical waste) to dispose of, like sharps boxes or incontinence pads, the Council can arrange for them to be collected from you free of charge for proper disposal.
If you administer medicines by needle yourself, you are responsible for disposing of all needles that you use correctly and safely. If a healthcare professional is administering your medication, they should dispose of the needles for you.
Medical waste must not be put into your black refuse sacks or your clear recycling sacks for collection by the regular, weekly household waste collection crew. It must be collected separately so that it can be disposed of by incineration.
All we ask is that you instruct your Doctor or District Nurse confirm to us in writing, by fax, or by e-mail that you require the medical waste collection service, and that they advise us of what type of medical waste needs to be collected. Please note that they will not necessarily inform us automatically, so you need to ask them.
If you require a sharps box for used needles, you should contact your Doctor; he or she will normally issue a prescription and the box can then be collected from your local pharmacy.
Once your Doctor's office has registered your medical waste collection needs with us, you need to call us on 01732 227000 to arrange to receive a regular collection, usually on Saturdays. We collect sharps boxes when they are full, and all other medical waste in a special yellow medical waste sacks that we can supply to you free of charge if you let us know that you need them.
Please note that we cannot collect medical waste from you if you have not taken the steps outlined above.
Needles to dispose of that have been used for a non medical purpose
If you have needles to dispose of that have been used for a non medical purpose, Kent drug services can help you. Please call Turning Point on 01322 278916.
If you need further information, please call us on 01732 227000, e-mail to direct.services@sevenoaks.gov.uk, or view our Clinical Waste Information Sheet ( PDF File 375KB file details).
Please note that this service only applies to individual households. We do not collect on a commercial basis from nursing homes, clinics, doctor's surgeries or from dentists. The Environment Agency, responsible for licensing waste contractors, can supply a list of companies that can collect from commercial premises. See its website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk for details.
