Hygienic waste disposal using purpose-designed waste bag holders is critical within the food and pharmaceutical sectors due to the rigorous hygiene standards required to ensure safety, compliance and quality assurance. After all, improperly handled waste can cause cross-contamination between hygienic areas, posing significant risks to product safety, as well as increasing the chance of odour and pest infestation. By enforcing an effective waste disposal system, facilities can remain BRCGS, HACCP and GMP compliant, reinforcing best practices alongside a culture of cleanliness and safety among staff.
Selecting the right waste bag holder for your disposal needs
Teknomek waste bag holders are constructed from 304L-grade stainless steel to provide a corrosion and chemical-resistant waste system that can safely withstand rigorous cleaning without impacting long-term durability. Offering both freestanding open frame and enclosed designs, facilities should consider the potential items being disposed and whether it will be placed in a high traffic area where it may be knocked into. For this reason, we also offer wall-mounted waste bins to provide added assurance and stability where needed.
To help reduce contamination risks for areas requiring closed/lidded bins, both our open frame pedestal waste bin and enclosed variants can be provided with foot pedals for hands-free operation.
Depending on your hygienic environment, facilities may also want to opt for our cleanroom pedestal waste bin which uses a non-shedding stainless steel clamping band rather than the typical elastic band that usually holds the bag in place. This non-shedding clamping band is ideal for any environments monitoring particle counts. Our waste bag holders can also be electropolished upon request for sterile environments (example pictured below).
Operational protocols
Clearly defined waste disposal protocols are essential when handling waste bags. Bags should not be filled beyond two-thirds capacity to allow space during closure without risking spills or contamination. Staff should be careful not to overfill the waste bags to prevent punctures and leakage with a strict monitoring schedule in place across the facility. It is good practice in High Risk/High Care facilities for waste to be handled by dedicated staff to ensure the product they are handling does not get contaminated when handling waste too. Teknomek’s three compartment bin can also aid waste management by providing a hygienic and compact method of waste segregation using different colour waste bags.
Safe and hygienic waste disposal
It is crucial that staff wear the appropriate PPE when handling, changing or disposing of the waste bags. In terms of location, PPE dispensers and handwashing stations should be available nearby to maintain sanitary conditions directly after waste handling tasks.
Record keeping and audit prep
It’s important to stay audit-ready by keeping thorough records of waste management activities. This is particularly beneficial for traceability exercises so that you can account for wastage towards your mass balance.
Ensuring hygienic waste disposal is essential for safeguarding product quality, staff safety and regulatory compliance in both the food and pharmaceutical sectors. By choosing Teknomek’s waste bag holders, facilities can help mitigate contamination risks and maintain stringent cleaning standards. If you would like to find out more or have questions about which products are the best suited for your hygienic environment, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling +44 (0)1603 788 833 or email mail@teknomek.co.uk.
