Color Coding of Containers
Start with the big picture
Under the color-coding system described in this lesson, yellow non-chlorinated bags are used for anatomical and soiled waste, microbiology laboratory waste, expired drugs, and chemical sludge; laboratory cultures require pretreatment with 1% hypochlorite before entering this stream. Red non-chlorinated bags collect specified contaminated plastics, while white puncture- and leak-proof containers hold sharps. Blue rigid containers or cardboard boxes are used for specified glassware and metallic implants. Each category follows a different treatment route, such as sterilization, incineration, or recycling. Color coding applies to solid waste; liquid biomedical waste is collected separately. Containers should be labeled, secured for transport, and filled no more than three-quarters full.
What you'll learn
- Match common biomedical waste examples to yellow, red, white, and blue containers.
- Distinguish the treatment or disposal routes associated with each color category.
- Identify operational safeguards for segregation, labeling, filling, and transport.
- Recognize the special pretreatment requirement for laboratory cultures.
- Explain why liquid biomedical waste is handled separately from color-coded solid waste.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
