Clinical waste control

In order to support hospitals and care homes contain clinical waste, Bondholder Ward Recycling is offering a rapid response service to control the spread of COVID-19.

The metal recycling and waste management specialist's lockable bins help key workers to dispose of and contain contaminated waste for a period of two weeks, which is currently understood to be the longest period of time the COVID-19 can survive on surfaces.

After the two-week period is confirmed by the customer, the sealed containers are safely removed from sites and sent for incineration, providing fuel for renewable energy.

Operations Director at Ward, Donald Ward, said: “Following a number of urgent enquiries, we’ve been able to adapt our systems to support local care homes and hospitals to provide a complete solution for disposing of materials potentially contaminated with COVID-19. The lockable storage containers are placed on site can be used for the disposal of overalls, incontinence waste, sharps, medicines and used protective equipment. They are helping to reduce spread of the virus once materials leave site and enter the waste supply chain, as we understand that sanitation measures cannot stop at source.”

In recognition of these “essential waste services”, last month, Ward was among a number of recycling and waste sector businesses to receive a letter of thanks from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and Rebecca Pow MP, who said: “As a nation we are undoubtedly going through one of the greatest health challenges we have faced in a generation, and I want to pay tribute to all of you who are working in such challenging times to protect the environment, local amenity and people’s health – your work is vital.”