Safe Disposal of Sharps at Home

Use a Sharps Container
  • Obtain an FDA-approved sharps disposal container. These are available at pharmacies, medical supply stores, and online
  • If an approved container is not available, use a sturdy, puncture-resistant container with a tight-fitting lid, such as a heavy-duty plastic bottle. Label it clearly as "SHARPS" to prevent accidental injury
Do Not Overfill
  • Only fill the sharps container to the designated fill line or about three-quarters full. Overfilling can increase the risk of needlesticks
Seal the Container
  • Once the container is full, seal it securely. If using a homemade container, ensure the lid is tightly closed and tape it shut if necessary
Disposal Options
  • Drop-off Sites: Drop off sharps and sharps containers at one of our Sharps Disposal Drop Boxes
  • Mail-back Programs: Some services allow you to mail your sealed sharps container to a disposal facility
Do Not Recycle
  • Never place sharps containers in your recycling bin. Sharps are not recyclable and pose a significant risk to sanitation workers
Do Not Flush
  • Never dispose of sharps by flushing them down the toilet or sink. This can cause harm to wastewater workers and the environment

                      Sharps