Disposing of lateral flow tests

Please can you confirm that it is acceptable to dispose of Covid lateral flow tests in the general waste, if they are used as part of a large-scale workplace testing programme? A friend working in healthcare has told us that these tests are classified as healthcare waste.

Q

Please can you confirm that it is acceptable to dispose of Covid lateral flow tests in the general waste, if they are used as part of a large-scale workplace testing programme? A friend working in healthcare has told us that these tests are classified as healthcare waste.

A

Many discarded test kits are currently finding their way into the waste stream as mass testing is rolled out. In one week alone, (4–10 March 2021), 6,294,877 lateral flow device (LFD) tests were conducted. This waste is not infectious or in any way hazardous, though environmentalists may regret the large quantity of single-use plastic items going to landfill.

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