Coronavirus: Disposing of waste

If you run a business or organisation

Read guidance for employers and businesses on working safely during coronavirus.

You should:

– provide extra bins for your staff and customers to throw away their waste face coverings and PPE used for social distancing, and any other additional waste, such as takeaway packaging and disposable tableware

– make sure that staff and customers do not put face coverings and PPE in a recycling bin as they cannot be recycled through conventional recycling facilities

– make sure bins are emptied often so they do not overflow and create litter

You do not need to collect PPE separately but, if you do, you must describe and code your waste correctly.

Ask your waste contractor if there is anything else you need to do.

If your staff are using PPE at work to protect against risks other than coronavirus, they can throw it away in the usual way.

You can put used disposable face coverings and PPE in an ‘offensive waste’ collection (yellow bags with a black stripe), if you have one.

You may be able to use specialist PPE recycling services for some items. Ask your waste contractor.

Face coverings and personal protective equipment (PPE) for social distancing

To find out when you must wear a face covering, read the guidance on staying safe outside your home.

You should wash and reuse cloth face coverings to prevent and reduce waste. Read guidance on how to make and wear a reusable cloth face covering.

Remove PPE carefully, and avoid touching the inside of your face covering. After you remove your PPE or face covering, wash your hands or use hand sanitiser.

If you need to throw away used face coverings or PPE, such as gloves:

– dispose of them in your ‘black bag’ waste bin at home or at work, or a litter bin if you’re outside
– do not put them in a recycling bin as they cannot be recycled through conventional recycling facilities
– take them home with you if there is no litter bin – do not drop them as litter

You do not need to:

– put them in an extra bag
– store them for a time before throwing them away