If you inject a medication at home, you also need a safe way to get rid of used needles. Loose needles can hurt family members, pets, trash workers and neighbors. The good news is that safe disposal is easy once you have a system. This guide follows the FDA's two-step approach.
Key takeaways
- Put every used needle, syringe and pen needle in a sharps container right after use.
- Never put loose sharps in the trash, recycling or toilet.
- Stop filling the container at about three-quarters full.
- Disposal rules differ by state and city. Your local trash service or health department knows the options.
- Carry a travel sharps container when you leave home.
Step 1: Contain sharps right away
FDA's first step is simple: place used needles and other sharps in a sharps disposal container immediately after use. This lowers the risk of needle sticks, cuts and punctures.
Choosing a container
FDA recommends an FDA-cleared sharps container when possible. You can find them at pharmacies, medical supply stores and online. Some health care providers give them out. FDA also suggests asking your insurer whether containers are covered, and asking your drug manufacturer whether they provide one free.
If you cannot get an FDA-cleared container, FDA notes that some organizations and communities accept a heavy-duty plastic household container, such as a laundry detergent bottle. It should:
- Be made of heavy-duty plastic
- Close with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid
- Stay upright and stable during use
- Be leak-resistant
- Be clearly labeled as hazardous waste
Do not use glass, soda bottles, milk jugs or coffee cans with thin lids. Check your community's rules before relying on a household container.
Container dos and don'ts
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Drop the needle in right after use | Leave needles on a counter or nightstand |
| Keep the container out of reach of kids and pets | Store it where children can open it |
| Stop at about three-quarters full | Push down or shake to make room |
| Seal and label it when full | Reuse a sharps container |
| Use a needle clipper only as directed | Bend, break or recap someone else's needle |
FDA also warns against trying to remove a needle by hand. It can fly off or get lost and hurt someone. If you cannot reach a container right away, FDA says you may need to recap using a one-handed method or use a needle clipper, then put it in a container at the next chance.
Step 2: Dispose of the full container
When your container is about three-quarters full, seal it and follow your local guidelines. FDA lists these common options:
- Drop boxes or supervised collection sites. Some pharmacies, doctors' offices, hospitals, health departments and police or fire stations accept containers. Some are free; some charge a small fee.
- Household hazardous waste sites. Public sites that also take paint, cleaners and motor oil.
- Mail-back programs. Some FDA-cleared containers can be mailed to a collection site, usually for a fee. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Residential special waste pickup. Some areas offer home pickup, often for a fee and sometimes with a required container type.
Some states allow sealed, labeled containers in household trash. Others do not. Call your local trash service or health department to find out.
Finding local options
FDA points people to Safe Needle Disposal for state-specific information, including which containers are allowed and how to label them. You can reach them at 1-800-643-1643. Your pharmacist is also a great local resource.
Sharps on the go
Away from home, carry a small travel sharps container. It keeps used needles contained until you can dispose of them properly.
For flights, TSA allows used syringes when they are carried in a sharps disposal container or similar hard-surface container. See Traveling With Injectable Medications for more.
What counts as a sharp?
For home users, sharps usually include:
- Pen needles and their caps once used
- Syringes with attached needles
- Lancets for finger sticks
- Auto-injectors, if the label says to put them in a sharps container
Empty vials, alcohol pads and outer packaging usually are not sharps. Check your product's instructions. Some pens say to remove the needle and dispose of the pen body separately.
If you get stuck by a used needle
Accidents happen. If someone is stuck by a used needle:
- Wash the area with soap and water right away.
- Call a health care provider promptly, especially if the needle was used by another person. Some protective treatments work best when started soon.
Make it part of your routine
The easiest way to stay safe is to make disposal part of each dose. Keep your sharps container next to where you inject. When you log a dose in the PepSteady app, glance at the container's fill line. A full container is a reminder to order a new one.
The bottom line
Safe sharps disposal comes down to two steps: contain every needle right away, then dispose of the full container the way your community allows. Never toss loose needles in the trash or recycling. When you are unsure about local rules, ask your pharmacist or health department.
Sources
- FDA: Best Way to Get Rid of Used Needles and Other Sharps
- FDA: DOs and DON'Ts of Proper Sharps Disposal
- FDA: Sharps Disposal Containers
- FDA: What to Do if You Can't Find a Sharps Disposal Container
- TSA: Used Syringes
Frequently asked questions
Can I throw used needles in the regular trash?
Never throw loose needles in the trash, recycling or toilet. Put them in a sharps container first. Whether a sealed container can go in household trash depends on your state and city, so check local rules.
What can I use if I do not have a sharps container?
FDA notes that some communities accept a heavy-duty plastic household container, like a laundry detergent bottle, if it has a tight puncture-resistant lid, stays upright, resists leaks and is labeled. Check your local guidelines first.
When should I replace my sharps container?
FDA advises not to fill a sharps container more than about three-quarters full. At that point, seal it and follow your local disposal rules. Do not reuse sharps containers.