Disposal Tips for Sharps, needles and syringes

Preventing Injury, Illness & Pollution

Home health care wastes primarily consist of used items know as sharps, which include needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp objects, as well as soiled bandages, disposable sheets, and medical gloves.

Four Simple Steps

You can help prevent injury, illness, and pollution by following some simple steps when disposing of these wastes in your household trash.

1. Place all sharps in a puncture-resistant, hard plastic or metal container. An empty detergent bottle with a screw-on cap or an empty coffee can will do.
2. Close the container with its original lid and secure with heavy duty tape.
3. Place the tightly sealed container in a paper bag and discard it with your household trash. Do not place it with your recyclables.
4. Place non-sharp home health care wastes in a doubled, securely fastened, opaque plastic trash bag before putting them in your garbage can with other wastes.