Q1 Is it a sharps container?
No the Bio-bin® is for non-sharp infectious waste so no needles or blades. 70% of waste found in sharps containers is non sharp; therefore the Bio-bin is ideal for the majority of infectious waste.
Q2 Can you put liquids inside the bin?
Yes the Bio-bin® are leak proof and for extra protection against spillage they now come with a Bio-mattTM in the
base which turns liquid into a gel.
Q3 Can the Bio-bin® be closed and re-opened while I am using it?
Yes, there is a temporary seal on the bin which allows it to be closed without permanently sealing it.
Q4 Can community Nurses/Midwives use the Bio-bin® in the boot of their car for transporting waste back base?
The Bio-bin® is a rigid container and is therefore much safer for carrying waste in a car than using bags. It complies with HTM 07/01 for the carriage of infectious waste. Various PCTs have already adopted the Bio-bin® for this use.
Q5 I can’t see through it
You may have to stand up to look in the bin to see how much waste is inside and ensure that it is not above the fill line.
Q6 Is there a use by date for the bins?
Currently there is no use by date, but we would advise customers to use the bins within a year as there is a possibility the double sided tape for sealing the bins can degrade after time.
Q7 The 6Ltr bin is unstable
The 6Ltr bin was designed to hold serological pipettes and prevent them from Wigwamming inside the bin. This means that the bin is tall and tapered and is therefore slightly unstable. We have created stainless steel accessories such as the Z stand which allows the bin to be stood on a bench or on the floor reducing the risk of it getting knocked over.
(for information on these stands see the 6Ltr accessories information sheet)
Q8 Can I test a few to see what they are like?
Yes, we are always happy to provide you with free samples in order to trial the bins and see what you think.
Q9 What else can the bin be used for?
The Bio-bin® can be used for disposing of Pipettes, Loops, Petri dishes, swabs, Surgical instruments (not blades/needles), bandages and a large variety of other types of infectious waste.
To see how other customers are already using the bin please visit our Bio-bin® in use page.
Q10 I have seen/used something similar and didn’t like it
There are other similar products available although we believe the Bio-bin® is far superior to them. If you are unsure, then simply visit the sample request page so that you can try the bins and see what you think.
Q11 How much space will I save?
This will depend on what size of bin you require and what you were previously using. One box of Bio-bin® is equivalent to about one pallet of sweetie jars.
Q12 The bin is the wrong size?
We currently have 4 sizes available, with 2 more to come in the near future (20Ltr and 30Ltr), however if you require a different size then you can let us know on our additional bin sizes page. If we can see a demand/need for the size then it is possible for us to develop it.
Q13 Who else is using the Bio-bin®?
The Bio-bin®is being used in a variety of areas including Labs, hospitals and Universities. Visit our Bio-bin® in use page to see other areas in which the bin can be used as well as customer feedback.
Safety
Q1 Have the bins been safety tested?
Yes the bins have been UN 3291 safety tested. To see test reports and certificates please visit our UN3291 approval page.
Q2 Will the bins break if they are dropped?
The bins are drop tested from a height of 1.3m, in order to pass UN safety testing. (test reports available on the UN3291 approval page)
Q3 Can the bins be disposed of in a waste cart with other waste on top?
All the bins have been tested with a large amount of weight on top of them in order to be UN approved. (test reports available on the UN3291 approval page
Q4 People could get confused and put needles in it.
With a small amount of training this should be avoidable. It is the same as having to segregate your waste at home once you get used to it, it becomes a habit.
Q5 Can we dispose of unbroken glass slides/vials in the Bio-bin®?
This is up to the discretion of your waste manager. (We are always happy to send out samples for trialling)
Q6 Will fumes come out through the temporary seal?
None of the existing customers have experienced problems with this, however we would encourage you to test it for yourself by ordering some free samples.
Q7 Is there any training for the Bio-bin®?
Please contact your waste manager to organise group training. Your waste manager should be able to do this if not please contact us direct : info@econix.co.uk
Colours
Q1 What are the different colours for?
The Bio-bin® is available in 4 different colours to enable the segregation of waste. For further information on all the colours please visit our waste segregation page.
Q2 How do I know which colour to use?
Your waste manager will be able to tell you what colour bin you need depending on the types of waste you are disposing of. You can also visit the Department of Health website for more information.
Waste Disposal
Q1 Will my waste contractor take the Bio-bin®?
As the Bio-bin® is UN approved all waste contractors will take the Bio-bin®.
Q2 Can the Bio-bin® be autoclaved?
Yes the Bio-bin® automatically opens up in the autoclave to allow the steam to penetrate the entire contents of the bin. Please visit our Autoclave Results page for further information.
Purchasing
Q1 Where can I get the Bio-bin® from?
As well as purchasing the Bio-bin® directly from us, there are also a variety of distributers stocking the Bio-bin®. Visit the UK and European Distributers or NHS supply chain page for more details.
Q2 Will there be any problems re-ordering?
We hold every size and every colour of the Bio-bin® in stock so lead times should be no more then a few days. In the event that we are out of stock it is likely that one of our distributers will be able to supply you.
Converting
Q1 Why use a Bio-bin® instead of a plastic bag?
A bag can get punctured or torn very easily, even with non-sharp items such as pipettes whereas the Bio-bin® will offer far more protection. The bin is also a rigid container which can be neatly stacked when both empty or full.
Q2 Why should I change from using sweetie jars to the Bio-bin® when the bin is more expensive?
Sweetie Jars are not UN approved for infectious waste and therefore need to be autoclaved prior to disposal. The Bio-bin® is UN approved for transporting waste, making autoclaving unnecessary. We have also heard from several labs that when inspected by the Environment Agency they have been advised to stop using the sweetie jars.
The Bio-bin® has a built in lid and is 96% paper based making it much more environmentally friendly and very space efficient. You can often fit a whole years supply of bins for a lab onto one standard pallet.
Q3 What is wrong with using sharps containers?
70% of waste found in a sharps container is non-sharp, meaning that for the majority of waste they are unnecessary. They are not only more expensive to buy but generally more expensive to dispose of as most waste contractors charge by weight for waste disposal. Sharps bins are usually incinerated, which creates 3 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of waste. The Bio-bin is made from 96% paper which is far better for the environment and when it is incinerated, burns at a lower temperature, reducing damage to the incinerator lining
Q4 Is Bio-bin® cheaper to buy than sharps containers?
In most cases Bio-bin® are cheaper than Sharps containers
