How to Properly Dispose of Diabetic Syringes

Used diabetic syringes pose a major health risk for those who come in contact with them if they are not properly discarded. They may cause the spread of disease or infection and can cause bodily injuries. If you use diabetic syringes in your home, protect yourself and others by taking care to dispose of your syringes properly.

Things You'll Need

• Hard plastic or metal container with lid
• Duct tape
• Permanent marker
• Bleach
• Plastic bag

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Instructions

• 1

  Find a hard plastic or metal container with a lid. Coffee cans work well as long as they have a lid that can be secured.

• 2

  Keep the container in the place where you will be using the syringes. Be sure to place it out of reach of any small children or animals. Place the used syringes in the container after use. Do not attempt to replace the cap, bend or break the needles; you may injure yourself in the process. Replace the lid on the container.

• 3

  Fill the container with a sanitizing solution of one teaspoon bleach added to one pint of water, when the container is three-quarters of the way full of syringes.

• 4

  Secure the lid with duct tape and mark the container with the words "Hazardous Waste" or "Not Recyclable Used Sharps". Be sure that the warning is clearly visible and written in permanent ink.

• 5

  Place the container in a plastic bag secured with tape to prevent leakage of the sanitizing solution. Discard the container along with the rest of your trash.