Which color lid is used on the container for uncontaminated sharps waste?

• A. Orange
• B. Purple
• C. Black
• D. White

Answer: (A)

Waste segregation by color coding helps staff identify how to handle and dispose of waste quickly and safely. Containers for sharps must be puncture‑resistant and clearly labeled, and the lid color signals the waste type. An orange lid indicates uncontaminated sharps waste, such as used needles or blades that have not come into contact with blood or body fluids. This color cue lets staff deposit these sharps into the correct disposal stream promptly, reducing the risk of exposure and ensuring appropriate handling. If sharps were contaminated with blood or body fluids, they would follow the higher‑risk disposal route, but the container remains a sharps container and the color helps distinguish the level of risk and the disposal path.