Handle With Care

Proper Sharps Disposal

People 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:
  • Do NOT put used needles in your trash bin or recycling cart.
  • Never put a used sharp container or any other container that holds your sharps in your recycling or trash container. Do not use bottles, boxes, drink cans, etc. Only use approved sharps disposal containers that meet the proper safety specifications.
​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:
  • Drop-Off Collection Sites - Often found at hospitals, doctors offices, health departments and pharmacies.
  • Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers - Check with your city to see if this is available in your area.
  • Residential Special Waste Pick-Up Services - Check with your city to see if this service is available in your area.
  • Syringe Exchange Programs - These programs let you trade your used needles for new ones. Contact www.nasen.org for more information.
  • Mail-Back Service - A paid service that provides you with a needles container that you mail-back when full. For more information, please visit www.safeneedledisposal.org.
  • Home Needles Destruction Devices - Several manufacturers offer products for sale that allow you to destroy needles at home by burning, melting or cutting off the needle - making it safe to throw in the garbage. For more information, please visit www.safeneedledisposal.org.
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!