Safe Needle Disposal for Households
Improper management of discarded needles and other sharps can pose health risks to the public and waste workers. For example, discarded needles may expose waste workers to potential needle stick injuries and potential infection when containers break open inside garbage trucks or needles are mistakenly sent to recycling facilities. Janitors and housekeepers also risk injury if loose sharps poke through plastic garbage bags. Used needles can transmit serious diseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis.
Read the following for information on proper management of household needles and sharps:
- Community Options for Safe Needle Disposal (pdf)(579 KB).
- Protect Yourself, Protect Others: Safe Options for Home Needle Disposal (pdf)(259 KB).
- Safe Needle Disposal - a Project of NeedyMeds - promotes public awareness and community solutions for safe disposal of needles, syringes, and other sharps.