There has been much emphasis in the media over recent years about hospital hygiene and in particular the battle against hospital acquired infections. However, when it comes to the importance of hospital hygiene there is one device that is often overlooked and yet it is perhaps one of the most important tools in hospital hygiene – the hospital bin.

Hospital bins are vitally important as they house a lot of waste that can contain traces of bodily fluids such as blood and other waste that can be infected with microbes. Hospital bins are unlike other waste bins in that they also have to conform with the most stringent regulations.

Fire retardant bins for hospitals are often required in many areas as the health and safety of patients is crucial.

Fire retardant bins are often required in many areas as the health and safety of patients is crucial in medical environments. Fire retardant hospital bins are often sack Holders that are manufactured from high density polypropylene. Not only does this material retard fire but also it has anti-bacterial and anti-microbial qualities so will ensure the bin is not responsible for spreading of infections.

Many hospital bins have to be colour coded too for different areas and different waste such as yellow, orange, white and black. This is important to prevent any contaminated waste such as bandages from ending up on a conventional landfill.

There are other important aspects to hospital bins also. Whilst many bins around hospitals are simple sack holder bins they often have pedals (and even sensors) that prevent the need to handle the bin. This can be quite important as handling a bin, especially if it contains infectious waste, is not desirable to most people and can also lead to the spreading of infections.

Another important aspect to hospital bins is ensuring they are all of an adequate size. If a bin is filled before it is empty the there is often a temptation by people to dispose of the wrong item in the wrong bin, this can lead to medical waste ending up on conventional landfills or worse infectious material lingering on top of a full bin!

The hospital bin is a vital tool in ensuring that hospitals remain hygienic so it important for any hospital administrator that they have the right bins, that are the right size in the right areas.

The sanitary bin is unlike other waste bins we may have around the home and office. Sanitary bins are designed fro washroom and bathroom locations and as such, are often used to dispose of feminine hygiene products, razor blades and all manner of personal, hygienic and medicinal waste.

For this reason the sanitary bin should have several features. Firstly, a good bin for washrooms or bathrooms needs to have a pedal or sensor system. Nobody likes to handle bins, especially if somebody else has placed personal waste in their which may have traces of body fluids such as blood.

Secondly, a bin for the washroom needs to be of adequate size. If the sanitary bin is for a workplace wash room or bathroom then it needs to be large enough that it won’t fill up between emptying times. If a bin is full then many of the items that should be thrown in the waste bin will get discarded in the toilet. Some of these items such as feminine sanitary devices can block up toilet systems very easily and so failing to have the right sized bin could cost a fortune in plumbing bill.

Washroom bins and bins for the bathroom are also often made from Polypropylene. This is a man made polymer and is well suited for this type of location as it is quite resistant to bacteria and microbes as there is nowhere for the bugs to hide on the bin surface.

Other materials that are good for sanitary bins are stainless steel, although stainless steel bins are often more expensive but they offer good protection against bugs and are easy to clean too. Materials to be avoided are things like wicker or mesh. These may make attractive waste paper baskets but they are not fit for purpose in a sanitary location.

There are other areas to the washroom and bathroom where a sanitary bin is often used such as medical facilities and hospitals although specialist hospital bins and bins designed to take medicinal products are available for clinics, surgeries and hospitals. These are very similar to sanitary bins but are often larger, sturdier and have to adhere to numerous regulations including fire retardation.

Sanitary bins are an important part of washroom hygiene so please ensure your home or workplace has an adequate sanitary bin.