How to Dispose of a Home Use Sharps Container

When you are prescribed injectible medications, it means using caution to properly dispose of your syringes. This is of particular concern for insulin-dependent diabetics and other who require daily injection therapies. Sharps containers are puncture-resistant and seal well to protect you and others from needle sticks and contamination. Because the syringes are a health concern, they must be disposed of properly to ensure public safety. The guidelines for disposal vary from state to state, so check with the health department in your state to verify the disposal guidelines.

Things You'll Need

• Sharps container
• Heavy duty tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Replace your sharps container when it becomes three-quarters full. Do not overfill the container.

• 2

  Use heavy duty tape and seal the top of your sharps container when full. Place two strips of tape over the top to ensure that it cannot open.

• 3

  Contact the hospital or pharmacy for their sharps collection program schedule. Most pharmacy and hospital sites have regular collection times for you to drop off your containers.

• 4

  Call your state Health Department for home trash guidelines. Many states allow you to dispose of your sharps containers in your household garbage provided they are in approved containers, well-labeled and securely-sealed.