Handle With Care
Proper Sharps DisposalPeople living in the United States use more than 1,OOO,OOO,OOO syringes, needles and lancets every year! Many do not realize that they are improperly disposing of those items when they place them in their trash or recycling containers.
Known as "sharps," those hypodermic needles, syringes and lancets can transmit blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C. Because of this, they are biohazard waste and an important public health and safety hazard. Proper disposal of your sharps is very important in keeping your household and our employees safe. Below you will find a few answers to commonly asked questions regarding the best way to dispose of sharps and their containers. In disposing of your sharps, please remember:
I have been using old soda bottles and detergent containers to store used sharps - is this ok?
No. These types of containers "pop" open when compacted by trash and recycling trucks. The contents (sharps) fall out and make their way long our sorting line, thus exposing our employees to potential health and safety risks when they are stuck by a used needle. Where can I dispose of my sharps bin? Some communities offer the following services for the proper disposal of sharps bins:
For more information and for a list of needle disposal rules in your area along with a needle disposal program near you, please visit www.cdc.gov/needledisposal.
Thank you for helping us to keep our employees safe! |
|