The Disposal of Sharps Containers

Used medical needles and other medical items that are capable of piercing the skin, such as IV catheters, scalpels, blades and lancets, are generally referred to as sharps. Because sharps may harbor disease-infected blood and other infectious materials, proper disposal of them in a sharps container is crucial to prevent the spread of disease. Sharps containers feature puncture-proof plastic and are a safe way to store sharps that are ready for disposal. When it's time to dispose of your sharps containers, make sure you use a method approved by your state of residency.

Instructions

• 1

  Call your local sanitation department or health department to find out your state's specific rules regarding sharps container disposal. You can also find disposal requirements and links to disposal resources listed by state on the BD Diabetes website.

• 2

  Contact the health department in your state to find out if they participate in any community sharps collection programs. Bring your sharps containers to a community sharps collection site, if your state participates.

• 3

  Contact a local hospital, nursing home, doctor or veterinarian about dropping off your sharps container for them to dispose of, if this is acceptable in your state. Some of these medical establishments will accept your sharps container and properly dispose of it with their sharps. In some states, hospitals are required by law to accept your sharps container.

• 4

  Sign up with a sharps container mail-back service, such as GRP Mail-back Sharps Disposal or BD Sharps Disposal by Mail, if your state allows this method of disposal. For a fee, these services provide you with containers and instructions on how to package and mail back your sharps containers. You will also be provided with a destruction manifest -- a form proving that your sharps were properly disposed of. Make sure the company is approved with the U.S. Postal Service before signing up.

• 5

  Take your sharps containers to a medical waste company if this is recommended by your state. Call the company first to find out if they take sharps waste and if you need an appointment. Some medical waste companies offer pick-up services, though they may charge fee.