How Do I Discard Syringes?

Many types of health problems require patients to administer their own injections. The proper way to inject medication yourself is usually taught by your physician. Sometimes, however, the subject of syringe disposal can be overlooked. Syringes are extremely dangerous for others in your home and community if they are not stored and disposed of safely.

Storage Prior To Disposal

• Replace the caps on used syringes so the hypodermic needle is not exposed. Do not break or bend the needles, as the needles would then be exposed by themselves. The needle points are extremely sharp and present a hazard to anyone who might get poked by them. Place the used syringes into a plastic bottle like an empty laundry detergent bottle that has a screw-on lid. The screw-on lid will prevent the syringes from spilling out if the bottle is jarred or dropped. Fill the bottle with your used syringes only to about 3 inches from the opening at the top to prevent injury from needles that are protruding near the opening.

Disposal

• Wrap the lid of the bottle tightly with a thick tape. The screw top lid is already going to hold itself to the bottle, but the tape serves as both a deterrent and a warning to those who might open the bottle. Place a label on the bottle to let others know that the contents are hazardous and sharp. Labels like "Do not recycle" and "sharps: hazardous" or "bio-hazardous material" will suffice.

  Place the bottle into your regular trash container for garbage pick-up, as long as it has been taped and labeled. Use a new container each time for disposing of used syringes, and follow the same procedure for disposal.