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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Medical Devices

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Sharps Disposal Containers

FDA-Cleared Sharps Containers

The FDA recommends that used needles and other sharps be immediately placed in FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers. FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers are generally available through pharmacies, medical supply companies, health care providers, and online.

The FDA has evaluated the safety and effectiveness of these containers and has cleared them for use by health care professionals and the public to help reduce the risk of injury and infections from sharps.

FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers are made from rigid plastic and come marked with a line that indicates when the container should be considered full, which means it’s time to dispose of the container. Below are examples of FDA-cleared sharps containers:

 

 Group of sharps disposal containers Sharps disposal container
   
Sharps disposal container  Sharps disposal container

 

FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers are available in a variety of sizes, including smaller travel sizes to use while away from home.

 

Small sharps disposal container Large sharps disposal container

 

A list of products and companies with FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers can be found here. Although the products on this list have received FDA clearance, all products may not be currently available on the market.

 

Alternative Sharps Disposal Containers

If an FDA-cleared container is not available, some organizations and community guidelines recommend using a heavy-duty plastic household container as an alternative. The container should be leak-resistant, remain upright during use and have a tight fitting, puncture-resistant lid, such as a plastic laundry detergent container.

 

Hand putting a needle into a laundry detergent bottle

 

Household containers should also have the basic features of a good sharps disposal container described below.
 

All sharps disposal containers should be:
  • made of a heavy-duty plastic;
  • able to close with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out;
  • upright and stable during use;
  • leak-resistant; and
  • properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container.
 

When your sharps disposal container is about three-quarters (3/4) full, follow your community guidelines for proper disposal methods.

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