Sharps Disposal – General guidelines for sharps disposal

Sharps disposal is the safe disposal of objects that have sharp points or edges. These objects are used to puncture the skin or to give medicines. They include needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp objects. Knowing how to properly dispose of sharps is important. Used sharps can injure you and spread infections that can cause serious health problems. The most common infections that are spread by sharps include:

• Hepatitis B.
• Hepatitis C.
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Each city or state may have different rules for sharps disposal. Check with your public works, health department, or waste management department to find out what disposal methods are appropriate in your city. Here are some general guidelines to follow regardless of regulations in your city or state

• Do not throw loose sharps in household or public trash cans.
• Do not flush sharps down the toilet.
• Do not throw sharps in the recycling container.
• Always label sharps as hazardous waste.
• If you do not have a sharps container, you may purchase one from a pharmacy or a medical supply company.
• Do not break, clip, bend, or recap needles. Drop the sharp in a sharps container. This will protect you from possibly being stuck by the sharp object.
• Keep children and pets away from sharps containers.
• Use appropriate travel-size disposal containers when traveling. Ask your airline or your health care provider how best to dispose of sharps when traveling.
• Use containers that:
  • Are in line with your city or state guidelines.
  • Are leak proof.
  • Have a tight-fitting lid that cannot be punctured. This ensures that sharps do not come out.
  • Remain upright during use.
  • Are labeled with proper warnings.

Summary

• Sharps disposal is the safe disposal of objects that have sharp points or edges. They include needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp objects.
• Used sharps can injure you and spread infections that can cause serious health problems.
• Check with your public works, health department, or waste management department to find out what disposal methods are appropriate in your city.
• Use appropriate disposal containers that are labeled, leak-proof, and have tight-fitting lids.