Disposing of needles

Sharps is a medical term for devices with sharp points or edges that can puncture or cut skin. Examples of sharps include needles, syringes , lancets, auto injectors, infusion sets , connection needles/sets. These types of devices need to be properly disposed to help prevent needle sticks, injuries, spread of diseases, and damage to recycling equipment. To dispose of sharps properly you can purchase sharps containers or devices to destroy them, use mail back options, or drop them off at your states local locations.

Sharps container

The easiest place to store used sharps containers is in a FDA approved container. They are made of hard plastics and are specifically designed to store sharps safely.

Don't:

• Do not recycle sharps objects
• Do not store in glass bottles, aluminum cans, containers
• Sharps should never be thrown loosely into the trash or toilet
• Sharps that retract after use, or are very small, should be disposed of like all other sharps.
• Sharps should never be recycled.

Do's:

• Keep storage containers out of reach of children and animals
• If bringing to a collection site make sure to follow all of their requirements.

Destroying Sharps

Some devices and containers can destroy a sharps object either by bending, breaking, incinerating, or shearing needles. A device that incinerates sharps are small, portable, and can melt a needle. After the needle is melted you can dispose of the syringe and melted needle in the garbage (Do not throw away). If you are away from you get a device that will cut and store needles, which should be disposed of at a sharps collection site or through mail back.

Disposal Options

In most states local clinics or hospitals have sites for needles, lancets, and syringes used by their patients. If your local clinic does not accept them do not bring them.

If your state does not have a collection site, you can use a mail back program which allows you to mail sharps to a licensed disposal facility.

FDA.gov

Safeneedledisposal.org