Managing sanitary waste

As a commercial cleaning company offering sanitary waste disposal services, business owners often ask us questions about sanitary bins and the service we provide. Read our brief guide to find out more about your legal requirements when it comes to sanitary waste disposal and how we may be able to help.  

What is sanitary waste? 

Sanitary waste is the term used to refer to the waste produced by humans and human activities, and might include nappies, disposable medical equipment, and feminine hygiene products. 

How should I dispose of sanitary waste? 

Sanitary waste disposal is highly regulated under UK legislation to ensure it’s carried out with safety and hygiene as the chief priority. 

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 recommend that all organisations should provide a suitable sanitary waste disposal method in their female toilets, which is usually provided in the form of sanitary bins for each toilet cubicle.

Are sanitary bins a legal UK requirement in the workplace? 

In short, yes. As a business owner, you are legally required to adhere to the regulations outlined in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Water Industries Act 1991, and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which all state that, in addition to safe sanitary waste disposal being the right of an employee, it is also vital when it comes to minimising the risk of damage being caused to public and private drainage and sewer systems, and to the environment.

It is therefore important for you to be aware of these regulations, understand your responsibilities in light of them, and act accordingly in order to avoid incurring significant penalties.

How often should sanitary bins be emptied? 

The regularity of the visits required by your sanitary waste disposal team will be dependent upon the size of the bin and how much waste each bin can contain, as well as the regularity of use. For some businesses, this may mean that the sanitary bins need to be emptied weekly, for others it may be fortnightly or monthly. 

Sanitary bins supply and collection services in Lancashire 

Committed to providing an excellent level of service, at Cleanbright, we offer our sanitary waste management services as a standalone service or as part of a comprehensive, regular cleaning solution. 

Our dedicated cleaning professionals are efficient in their work and will install, empty, and maintain your sanitary waste bins discretely and with minimal disruption to your workplace, helping you to remain compliant with all current regulations.

Get in touch with our team on 01282 858980 to find out more about our sanitary bin services.