Lid colours and what they are suitable for:

Orange Lid: For infectious or potentially infectious soft clinical waste contaminated with blood/bodily fluids e.g. dressings, swabs, wipes, gloves, gowns, masks, aprons, and blood bags. Orange–stream waste may be sent for disinfection by alternative treatment at a suitably authorised facility.
Yellow Lid: For infectious or potentially infectious clinical waste contaminated with chemicals or pharmaceutical / medicinal wastes e.g. medicated dressings, iodine dressings, swabs and wipes. Yellow–stream waste must be sent for incineration at a suitably authorised facility.
Purple Lid: For infectious or potentially infectious clinical waste contaminated with cytotoxic or cytostatic wastes e.g. gloves, gowns and masks. Purple–stream waste must be sent for incineration at a suitably authorised facility.
Red Lid: For anatomical waste and other potentially infectious waste e.g. recognisable body parts. Red–stream waste may be sent for disinfection by alternative treatment at a suitably authorised facility.
Blue Lid: For pharmaceutical waste in its original packaging e.g. blister packs, inhalers, empty medicines bottles, out of date medicines, vials and unopened ampoules. Blue–stream waste must be sent for incineration at a suitably authorised facility.