Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19) lateral flow tests waste codes

Information for local authorities about the waste codes and management routes when conducting mass testing using lateral flow antigen tests.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 18 December 2020
• Last updated: 12 March 2021
  Show all updates

  1. 12 March 2021

     Added tables of waste codes for i) PCR test sites and LFDs for on-site workforce testing, and ii) vaccination sites.

  2. 3 February 2021

     Under the 'Likely management route/waste hierarchy' column, added 'energy from waste' as the first option for swabs and cartridges or devices.

  3. 24 December 2020

     Updated table of lateral flow test waste codes with following updates: likely management route/waste hierarchy – made hierarchy of options clearer; Health Technical Memoranda (HTM) 07 01 Packaging – made hierarchy of the packaging to be used clearer; likely management route/waste hierarchy – added energy from waste as the first option for the disposal of personal protective equipment.

  4. 18 December 2020

     First published.

This publication was withdrawn on 1 April 2022

This page has been withdrawn because it’s no longer current. Read more about living safely with coronavirus (COVID-19).

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

[Withdrawn] Waste codes for test sites with lateral flow antigen testing devices, PCR testing and vaccination sites

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Details

Sets out information for local authorities about waste management for lateral flow antigen testing devices for COVID-19. It covers:

• waste categorisation of each item
• European waste catalogue (EWC) codes
• likely management routes