The simple answer is no, cleaners can not empty sanitary bins. The regulatory classification of this type of waste means that employees and regular domestic and commercial cleaners cannot be made responsible for its disposal, or the control of what could be considered a substance that is hazardous to them health.

So if your regular cleaner, or staff is emptying your sanitary waste bins on a regular basis, then you are likely to be in breach of the Waste Duty of Care regulations. Which can result in fines.

According the this regulation all sanitary and offensive waste must be handled by an authentic licensed carrier with an appropriate contract with a licensed point of disposal facility. There is an entire audit trail of documentation that must be recorded, available and kept for two years after collection.

The effort to keep on top of the Waste regulation means that it is more cost effective to outsource to a sanitary bin service company, such as Anway Washrooms, and as a result almost all companies do use a 3rd party for their sanitary disposal requirements.

What is a sanitary bin?

A sanitary bin is a large plastic waste bin designed to hold contaminated materials generated by employees, such as paper towels, female hygiene products, tissues, and diapers. These bins are needed in restrooms, break rooms, and other areas where people generate and dispose of these types of waste.

Due to their potential as biohazards or sources of disease transmission, these materials must be disposed of separately from regular office waste to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all individuals.

The specific contents of a sanitary bin may vary depending on the nature of the business, but they are generally subject to local health codes for proper handling and disposal. The UK Waste duty of care aims to minimise the risk of employee exposure to harmful diseases and protect the public from potential contamination during disposal processes.