HTM 07-01 waste streams explained

The colour-coded streams

HTM 07-01 sets out the following in its Table 9. The colour applies to the bag, the bin lid or the label: the bin body itself may be another colour, as long as the bag, lid or label matches the scheme.

Separate arrangements are listed for dental amalgam (18 01 10*), gypsum (18 01 04, or 18 01 03* if infectious), radioactive waste and confidential waste. Radioactive waste is covered by separate radioactive substances legislation, and once lawfully cleared from those controls it is classified by its composition and origin.

Colours differ in other parts of the UK. HTM 07-01 notes that NHS Scotland employs a different system, outlined in Scottish Health Technical Note 3, and that Northern Ireland has its own, set out in the Public Health Agency's infection control manual.

Where laboratory chemicals fit

HTM 07-01's advice on waste chemicals is short and clear:

• they should not be placed in clinical, offensive or municipal waste streams, and in England and Wales such mixing is prohibited
• they should be segregated and packaged according to transport classifications and chemical compatibilities
• they should normally be classified as 18 01 06* or 18 01 07, unless they are photochemicals, which are classified under subchapter 09 01
• their hazardous properties should be assessed, and classification codes assigned using the proper procedures

The guidance also says that its overview is not for assessing laboratory chemicals and reagents themselves. It supports the assessment of other healthcare waste streams that may contain or be contaminated with chemicals. So for a bottle of used xylene, formalin or stain, the assessment works as it would in any other laboratory, under the Environment Agency's WM3 guidance. Our waste code finder explains that process.

Chemically contaminated items

Items contaminated with chemicals do sit in the colour scheme. Table 9 lists chemically contaminated lab waste under yellow, with the chapter 18 codes shown above. GOV.UK classifies chemically preserved anatomical waste under 18 01 06* together with 18 01 02 or 18 01 03*, reflecting both natures of the waste. So formalin-fixed tissue is treated differently from a bottle of used formalin, and differently again from unfixed tissue.

The question to ask is whether the item is mainly a clinical item with some chemical on it, or mainly a chemical in a container. Gloves and wipes with traces on them go one way. A pot holding a measurable volume of liquid fixative goes another. Where that line sits in your department should be written into your local policy, in agreement with your waste contractor.

HTM 07-01 also addresses empty containers. Medicine and chemical containers should be classified based on the chemical they held. An "empty" reagent bottle with residue is not automatically general waste.

Common streams in a hospital laboratory

Formalin. Used formalin from cut-up and processing is normally collected as liquid chemical waste, kept in suitable closed containers. The specimens it preserved may go by a different stream. See our formalin page.

Xylene and alcohols. Used on processors and stainers, then collected as flammable solvent waste. Keep halogenated solvents apart, since mixing different hazardous wastes without authorisation is prohibited, and it makes disposal more expensive as well.

Stains and reagents. DAB, ethidium bromide, osmium tetroxide and other specialist reagents need individual attention. Do not bulk them with other waste without checking compatibility.

Photochemicals. X-ray fixers and developers belong in subchapter 09 01, for example 09 01 04* for fixer and 09 01 01* for water-based developer. Where they are still in use, HTM 07-01 keeps them out of chapter 18.

Cytotoxic and medicinal waste. Pharmacy and aseptic units produce these. Cytotoxic and cytostatic waste goes in the purple stream and other medicines in blue. Our pharmaceutical waste collection page covers these. Controlled drugs have further requirements and are outside our self-serve route.

Labelling and tracing

HTM 07-01 says each container must be labelled in accordance with the legal requirements for transport and packaging, and that labels should clearly identify the waste types within. Containers should also be tagged or labelled to identify the facility and the ward or place of origin, as duty of care requires. Individual bags should be labelled too, because waste is often repackaged during transport. For a lab this means knowing which bench or department each container came from, as well as the building.

The guidance also treats regular training for waste-handling staff, and written and visual reminders, as fundamental to correct classification and segregation.

Paperwork for hospital chemical waste

Any hazardous stream needs a consignment note in the relevant form, with the right waste code and description on each line. HTM 07-01 notes that the consignment note description for mixed medicines has to reflect both natures of the waste. For chemical waste the description has to tell the receiving site what it is actually getting.

In England the note goes into the register you keep for three years at the premises. Our consignment note guide has the detail for each nation, with a worked hospital example.

How we work with hospital sites

Box 4 arranges collection of chemical and laboratory waste through registered hazardous waste carriers, and handles the quote, paperwork and invoice. Our hospital page explains how that works for departments, and clinical and laboratory waste collection covers mixed streams. In the Chemical Register, the Hospital plan adds HTM 07-01 streams to disposal requests, along with departmental collections and a note archive. Follow your organisation's waste policy where it differs from this summary, and treat NHS England's document as the authority.