Do You Know the Clinical Waste Code? Part 1: The Orange Code

Initial Medical brings you a series of blogs as part of its ‘Follow the Colour Code’ campaign’ discussing the colour coding system for waste segregation management and disposal. To kick off, here we look at orange…

The word ‘orange’ was first used to describe the colour in the 1540s ⁽¹⁾, referring to the secondary colour that results when yellow and red are mixed. In nature, it is the colour of vivid sunsets, fire, flowers, fish and fruits and it often symbolises energy, vitality, adventure and social communication, inspiring and creating enthusiasm while also suggesting affordability ⁽²⁾.

The strong hue is believed to be the most controversial colour – usually triggering strong emotions and people either love or hate the colour.

According to ancient Feng Shui principles, orange stimulates focus and concentration, as well as promoting organisation. A study published in the Journal of Sensory Studies even found that orange-coloured cups made hot chocolate taste better than cups in other colours ⁽³⁾.

The colour also varies in meaning across different cultures – it is the emblematic colour of the royal family in the Netherlands, a symbolic colour for Northern Ireland Protestants, the symbol of love and happiness in China and Japan, a sign of outward humility for Buddhist monks and the Orange Chakra is the abdomen and creative centre in Eastern philosophy.