When winter arrives, so do the usual suspects: coughs, colds, vomiting, and diarrhoea. It’s the seasonal ensemble nobody asked for, yet somehow they turn up every year—uninvited, unwelcome, and especially problematic anywhere that vulnerable people live, learn, or receive care.
Care homes, children’s nurseries, medical settings and even hospitality sites can find themselves dealing with a sudden spike in unwell residents, little ones, or staff. And while the clinical side of infection control is usually top-of-mind, waste management is just as critical (but often less glamorous).
Let’s be honest—managing infectious waste is never going to be fun, but doing it wrong can very quickly turn into a very expensive mistake.
So, here’s the ultimate guide to staying compliant, safe, and organised when winter bugs strike.
Why Winter Illness Creates Waste Challenges
Illnesses like norovirus, flu, and other winter bugs spread quickly—especially in enclosed settings with vulnerable people. This leads to:
- Higher volumes of potentially infectious waste
- More used tissues, PPE, wipes, and contaminated materials
- Increased risk of cross-contamination
- A need for rapid, proper segregation and disposal
For businesses supporting vulnerable individuals, waste becomes a front-line defence in infection control. Getting it right matters—for public health, for your staff, and for your budget.
Orange Bags vs Tiger Bags – The Great Debate
Let’s break it down simply:
Orange Bags = Infectious Waste
Anything contaminated with bodily fluids from someone known to be infectious.
Think: vomit, diarrhoea, heavily soiled PPE, wipes, bedding, clinical disposables, etc.
Rules for Orange Bags
- Must be securely tied – double-knotted or secured with cable ties
- Must go in a dedicated bin, completely separate from other clinical or general waste
- Must never be mixed with tiger bags (non hazardous clinical waste)
- Must be collected under hazardous waste regulations
Tiger Stripe Bags = Non-Hazardous Clinical Waste
For items that are unpleasant but not infectious.
Perfectly safe—unless, of course, someone sneaks an infectious sack in there…
Why Mixing Waste Is a Costly Nightmare
Here’s the golden rule of winter-bug waste:
One infectious orange sack mixed into tiger-stripe waste will contaminate the entire batch.
This means:
❌ Everything must now be treated as hazardous
❌ Costs increase dramatically
❌ Your waste disposal record becomes inaccurate
❌ You may face compliance issues
In short, the “just chuck it all together” method is not your friend.
Hazardous Waste = Paperwork Heaven (or Hell, if you ignore it)
All hazardous waste must be accompanied by proper, legally-required paperwork, ensuring:
- The waste is tracked from your site…
- Collected correctly…
- Transported safely…
- Disposed of at a licensed facility…
- Signed off by the disposal site once complete.
This documentation keeps you compliant, protects the waste handler, and ensures you can prove proper disposal.
Quarterly Returns – What They Are & Why They Matter
Every quarter, you’ll receive a Hazardous Waste Quarterly Return.
This document summarises:
- What hazardous waste you produced
- When it was collected
- Where it was disposed of
- Which consignment notes relate to each movement
- Confirmation that every step was tracked and completed correctly
It’s essentially your paper trail to prove you’re managing infectious waste legally and responsibly. Many businesses store these with their compliance documents or CQC records.
What to Do When You Have an Infectious Outbreak – Step-by-Step
Here’s a simple breakdown that any business can follow:
1️⃣ Identify the Outbreak
Runny noses? Common cold.
Four staff and three residents down with norovirus? That’s an outbreak.
2️⃣ Start Using Orange Bags Immediately
Anything soiled or contaminated = orange bag.
No exceptions.
3️⃣ Tie Each Bag Properly
Double-knotted or cable-tied.
If it swings open like a handbag, it’s not tied properly.
4️⃣ Store the Bags Separately
Never let them mingle with tiger bags.
They need their own bin or secure area.
5️⃣ Contact Your Clinical Waste Collector ASAP
This is the most important step.
You must tell your waste provider immediately because:
- Infectious waste requires separate collection
- We must allocate appropriate vehicles and disposal routes
- There are strict rules on our side too
- Many companies subcontract hazardous waste collections
- And subcontractors in Devon & Cornwall are… well… not abundant
If your provider needs to bring in another licensed carrier, it can take time.
You don’t want a pile of infectious orange sacks sitting around longer than necessary.
6️⃣ Keep Staff in the Loop
Ensure everyone knows which waste goes where.
Outbreaks are confusing enough already.
7️⃣ Record Everything
Note dates, volumes, symptoms, and any control measures.
(Your auditor, inspector, or manager will thank you.)
Why Use a Specialist Clinical Waste Company (Like Us!)
Winter bugs don’t wait, and neither should you.
Using a dedicated clinical waste provider means:
✨ Fast response times
We understand the urgency and can arrange collections quickly—no waiting for subcontractors who may cover half the South West and beyond.
✨ Expert guidance
We help you stay compliant, avoid costly mistakes, and reduce risk.
✨ Proper segregation advice
No more guessing which bag is which.
✨ Flexible collection solutions
Need an extra pickup? A one-off? An emergency collection? We’ve got you.
✨ Local, reliable, and experienced
We’re familiar with Devon & Cornwall’s unique challenges!
✨ Friendly, professional service with a sense of humour
Because dealing with diarrhoea shouldn’t be depressing and confusing.
Final Thoughts
Winter is tough enough without juggling infectious waste, compliance paperwork, and panicked staff yelling, “WHERE DO THESE GO?!”
With the right process—and the right waste partner—you can handle coughs, colds, vomiting and diarrhoea outbreaks smoothly, safely, and without unexpected bills or compliance woes.
If an outbreak hits, remember:
Orange sacks, separate storage, correct paperwork, and call us ASAP.