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 — See all updates

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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[Withdrawn] Waste codes for test sites with lateral flow antigen testing devices, PCR testing and vaccination sites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
Published 18 December 2020
Last updated 12 March 2021 + show all updates

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

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

  3. 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. First published.

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