A Derbyshire recycling and waste management specialist is playing a key role in supporting hospitals and care homes after adapting its offer in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Ilkeston-based Ward Recycling has developed a rapid response service to help control the spread of Covid-19.
The firm’s lockable bins help key workers to dispose of and contain contaminated waste for a period of two weeks, which is currently understood to be the longest period of time the virus can survive on surfaces.
All waste must be double-bagged in orange clinical bags and clearly dated with a marker.
Collection cannot take place until two weeks after the last bag is added to the container.
After the two-week period is confirmed by the customer, the sealed containers are safely removed from sites and sent for incineration, providing fuel for renewable energy.
Donald Ward, operations director at Ward, said: “Every business is adapting to do what it can to support the fight against coronavirus.
“Having dealt with biological and hazardous waste from hospitals, GP surgeries and dental practices for many years, we are familiar with developing waste management plans for medical equipment and surgical garments.
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“We have procedures in place to store, manage and collect waste in a safe and secure way, with a complete duty of care.
“Following a number of urgent enquiries, we’ve been able to adapt our systems to support local care homes and hospitals to provide a complete solution for disposing of materials potentially contaminated with Covid-19.
“The lockable storage containers are placed on site can be used for the disposal of overalls, incontinence waste, sharps, medicines and used protective equipment.
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“They are helping to reduce spread of the virus once materials leave site and enter the waste supply chain, as we understand that sanitation measures cannot stop at source.”
In recognition of these “essential waste services”, last month, Ward was among a number of recycling and waste sector businesses to receive a letter from thanks from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Rebecca Pow MP.
The letter said: “As a nation we are undoubtedly going through one of the greatest health challenges we have faced in a generation, and I want to pay tribute to all of you who are working in such challenging times to protect the environment, local amenity and people’s health – your work is vital.”