Hospitals
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Guidance for the hospitals sector
Change sectorThis guide, prepared by WRAP Cymru, should be read in conjunction with the Separate Collection of Waste Materials for Recycling: A Code of Practice for Wales. This guide provides supplementary advice for individual sectors and should not be read as standalone guidance.
It applies to all NHS and Private Hospitals based in Wales from April 2026.
Covered in this guide
- Why you need to recycle?
- How to better understand your waste and recycling
- Preventing waste in the first place
- How to implement a compliant recycling service
- Location of internal bins
- Location of external litter bins
- External bin location and storage
- Engagement and communication
- Food waste & hygiene
- Additional resources and information
Content overview
Why you need to recycle?
From April 2026, all hospitals must present the following materials separately for collection to be recycled.
How to better understand your waste and recycling
To understand the areas that produce most of the specified waste it is useful to undertake waste audits.
Preventing waste in the first place
Reducing or preventing how much waste is produced will help you save money and could reduce the size and the quantity of bins you will need. The less waste you produce the less you will be charged for collection.
How to implement a compliant recycling service
We recommend that you read The Separate Collection of Waste Materials for Recycling: (Code of Practice) to fully understand the requirements and your obligations under the law.
This includes lists in the Annexes of all the specific types of things that must be recycled.
Location of internal bins
Hospitals have many different buildings and departments producing different quantities and types of waste. Each location will have to consider the best solution for their circumstances.
Location of external litter bins
For any open spaces of land within the hospital site it is recommended that separate litter bins for recyclable items that are generated on the site are provided at any locations where litter bins are currently located.
External bin location and storage
It is important to consider where and how you will store your waste and recycling before it’s collected to ensure you comply with the waste duty of care.
Engagement and communication
It is important to have clear and consistent communication in order for any recycling system to be successful, i.e. those that use the bins and those that manage the waste place the correct items in the correct bins.
Food waste & hygiene
Hospitals with canteens and kitchens inevitably generate food waste in larger quantities than those sites not preparing and cooking food on site.
Additional resources and information
Further information and resources useful for hospitals.