Sharps Disposal in the Client's Home

The biggest biomedical waste concern for home users is usually sharps disposal.  Fortunately, there are many options available for safe disposal of sharps for home users.

PUBLIC COLLECTION PROGRAMS:  Some medical facilities such as, clinics, physician offices, EMT stations, and hospitals have collection programs for needles, lancets, and syringes for use by clients at home.  If your client has access to a collection program, learn about and follow their instructions for sharps storage and disposal.

MAIL-BACK PROGRAMS:  Another option may be a mail-back disposal program.  These programs allow home sharps users to mail used sharps to licensed disposal facilities as a safe disposal option.  There is usually a fee for this service.  Check with your client’s healthcare provider or pharmacist, or search the yellow pages or Internet using key words “sharps mail-back.”

SOMETIMES LEGAL, BUT LESS SAFE OPTIONS:  Some states allow residents to put used sharps that are in a laundry detergent bottle with a lid into the garbage.  However, this is highly discouraged because of the injury and health risks it places on garbage hauler and processing facility workers.  It is best to use one of the options previously listed for safe management and disposal of used sharps.

If placing sharps in the regular garbage is legal in your state, and it’s the only other option for your client, then be sure to use an empty rigid plastic container with a screw-on lid, such as a laundry detergent bottle.  Never use glass bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs, aluminum cans, or coffee cans.  NEVER PLACE LOOSE NEEDLES OR SYRINGES IN THE TRASH!

When using a household product container for sharps, always label container “Do Not Recycle.”  Never put the container in with recycling.  Put sharps in point-first.  Containers more than half-full should be disposed of.  Store sharps in closed container with the cap screwed on.

Always keep storage containers out of the reach of children.