Proper Disposal of Needles

About this topic

All used needles and other sharp things like lancets can spread germs and hurt people and animals. It is important to take extra care when throwing them away so no one gets hurt or sick. Your doctor can help you make a plan to safely get rid of your used needles and other sharp objects. When you get rid of your used needles in a safe way, you are keeping others safe. Needles or other sharp objects will not stick other people by accident. ‚

General

The sharp objects:
- Do not put caps back on needles.
- Do not try to bend or snap the needle after using it.
- Also get rid of lancets, self-injectors like epi pens and syringes, and infusion sets with needles.
- Place them in a special sharps container right after use.
Containers:
- Should be hard plastic or metal with a screw on lid and a thin neck. An old bleach bottle or laundry soap bottle works well. The container should not leak and should sit upright. You can also buy a special sharps disposal container. Check with your drugstore or home health agency.
- Only fill your sharps container 2/3 full and then seal the lid with tape. Clearly label the container with the word sharps.
Getting rid of a full container:
- Look for a drop off site in your town. This may be a doctor 's office, clinic, or hospital. Sometimes, it is a drugstore or police or fire department.
- Find a hazardous waste site. Ask if they take needles.
- Check for a needle exchange program in your town.
- Use a mail-back service

Helpful tips

Take a small sharps container with you when you travel.
Check with your airline and hotel about sharps containers.
There are also home needle destruction tools that make it safe for you to throw the needle away in your garbage. Make sure these have been approved for use by the government.
If you are accidently stuck by a needle or something sharp, wash the area with soap and water or a disinfectant as soon as possible. Call your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital.

Where can I learn more?

Environmental Protection Agency ‚
http://www.epa.gov/wastes/nonhaz/industrial/medical/med-home.pdf ‚
Food and Drug Administration ‚
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/Sharps/ucm263240.htm ‚
Safe Edmonton ‚
http://www.cvrd.bc.ca/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1597 ‚
Safe Needle Disposal ‚
http://www.safeneedledisposal.org/ ‚

Last Reviewed Date

2015-10-20 ‚

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Healthy Living

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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