Sharps Disposal

Safe disposal methods for needles and sharps generated as household medical waste include the following:

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• Place needles, syringes, lancets and other sharp objects in a hard plastic or metal container with a screw-on lid. Laundry detergent bottles or metal coffee cans may be used or containers specifically designed for the disposal of medical sharps may be purchased. 

• ​Reinforce the lid of the container with heavy-duty tape, label it “Not Recyclable,” and place the container in regular trash or take it to a household hazardous waste collection event.

• Place soiled bandages, disposable sheets, medical gloves and other types of medical waste in securely fastened plastic bags to be placed with regular trash.