What should be placed in a yellow container with a purple lid?

• A. Cytotoxic and cytostatic materials
• B. Denatured controlled drugs, out-of-date medicines and any material contaminated with pharmaceutical agents
• C. Sharps not contaminated with POMs
• D. Offensive non-hazardous waste

Answer: (C)

In waste segregation for a pharmacy or clinic, different waste streams are kept separate by color and type to minimize risk and ensure proper disposal. A yellow container with a purple lid is used specifically for sharps that have not been contaminated with medicines. The purple lid signals this is a sharps container, designed to safely hold needles, razors, and other sharp items without drug contamination. Keeping clean sharps separate from any waste that has medications on it prevents cross‑contamination and makes handling, disposal, and potential handling audits clearer.

If a sharp has touched medicines, or if the waste is cytotoxic or otherwise pharmaceutical, it belongs in a different stream rather than this sharps bin. Offensive non-hazardous waste would also go into a different container than a sharps bin. This distinction helps ensure each type of waste is treated appropriately and safely.