Sanitary waste management
Sanitary waste is considered offensive/hygiene waste and includes things like nappies, feminine hygiene products, incontinence pads, and more. This type of waste should not be flushed down toilets and must be stored separately from other waste, in specialised bins.
Under UK law, it is a mandatory requirement for businesses to provide sanitary bins in their premises. This regulation is designed to ensure proper disposal of sanitary products and maintain hygiene standards.
Since the legislation update in 2023, easily accessible and well-maintained sanitary bins must be provided in female and gender-neutral bathrooms in all public facilities, including:
- Pubs and Restaurants
- Hotels
- Hospitals and doctors’ surgeries
- Offices and commercial buildings
This ensures that users of these facilities are comfortable and that sanitary waste is stored and disposed of safely and hygienically, with minimal risk of infection transmission. Facility managers must also adhere to strict schedules for emptying and disinfecting these bins.
How often should you be replacing sanitary bins?
Sanitary bins should be replaced or serviced regularly to maintain hygiene and prevent odours. The frequency of replacement or servicing depends on the usage and volume of the waste generated. Here are some general guidelines:
- Weekly Servicing: For most locations, such as offices, schools, and public restrooms with moderate to high traffic, sanitary bins should be serviced weekly. This helps ensure that they are emptied, cleaned, and properly sanitised.
- Biweekly Servicing: In low-traffic areas or smaller businesses, servicing every two weeks might be sufficient. However, this should be assessed regularly to ensure it meets hygiene standards.
- High-Traffic Areas: In very high-traffic areas, such as shopping malls, airports, or large event venues, sanitary bins may need to be serviced more frequently, even daily.
- Overflow and Odor: Regardless of the set schedule, bins should be serviced immediately if they are full or if there is any noticeable odour.
- Seasonal Adjustments: During certain times, such as flu season or if there’s an increase in restroom usage, you might need to adjust the frequency accordingly.
It’s important to monitor the usage of each bin and adjust the servicing frequency to ensure that hygiene standards are maintained consistently.
If you are unsure of what service you need for your business – call one of our team members today!
While every business requires sanitary bins and proper disposal, it is important for those that deal with a high volume of people to ensure they have adequate sanitary bin services in place, such as:
Sanitary waste disposal services
Sanitary waste needs to be disposed of in line with legislation designed to uphold the principles of hygiene and public health. Because this type of waste carries the risk of infection transmission, there are strict processes around its safe storage, transport, and disposal.
When you commission professional sanitary waste management services, you can be sure that your business is fulfilling its duty of care to clients and staff. We will provide the number and combination of bins required by your business and implement a bespoke collection schedule that aligns with your output. This way you can ensure that people using your facilities do so with privacy and dignity, helping to improve their quality of life in the process.
To find out about how we can help to streamline your sanitary bin collection, get in touch. Our experts will review your needs and advise on a tailored approach to align with the needs of your business.
What Types of Businesses Need Sanitary Bins?
In the UK, all businesses need to provide sanitary bins in women’s restrooms to meet hygiene standards set out in the Workplace (Health, Safety, and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
However, it’s important for places with high footfall, like airports, restaurants, shopping centres, and other public venues, to carry out regular checks to make sure these bins are:
- Clean and Sanitised: In busy locations, sanitary bins need frequent cleaning and sanitising to prevent the spread of germs and ensure the restroom remains pleasant for everyone.
- Emptied Regularly: High-traffic areas mean bins fill up quickly. Regular checks help prevent overflowing bins, which can lead to unpleasant smells and hygiene issues.
- In Good Working Order: Sanitary bins should be well-maintained, with foot pedals, lids, and liners in good condition. Any damaged or faulty bins should be repaired or replaced without delay.
- Properly Stocked: Regular checks should also ensure that bins are stocked with the necessary supplies, like liners or bags, to allow for hygienic disposal.
By staying on top of these checks, your business can provide a clean and welcoming environment, meeting both legal requirements and the expectations of their customers for proper hygiene and care.
Call us today and get a free quote for your waste!
