BLOODBORNE INFECTIOUS DISEASES: HIV/AIDS,
HEPATITIS B, HEPATITIS C

Safe Community Needle Disposal

Individuals living in the community use needles and syringes to treat medical conditions or to inject illegal drugs. Workers such as waste haulers, recycling plant workers, janitors, housekeepers, and sewage treatment workers can experience needlestick injuries when used needles are improperly disposed of. Members of the general public, including children, can also be exposed. The following websites provide resources for properly disposing of used syringes and needles.

Individuals living in the community use needles and syringes to treat medical conditions or to inject illegal drugs. Workers such as waste haulers, recycling plant workers, janitors, housekeepers, and sewage treatment workers can experience needlestick injuries when used needles are improperly disposed of. Members of the general public, including children, can also be exposed. The following websites provide resources for properly disposing of used syringes and needles.

Resources

Needles and Other Sharps (Safe Disposal Outside of Health Care Settings)
This webpage from the Food and Drug Administration gives tips for safely disposing (getting rid of) needles and other sharp devices that are used outside of health care settings.  Patients and caregivers should keep these tips in mind when at home, at work, and while traveling.

The Medical Waste Management Act [PDF -74 KB]
This California law required, effective September 1, 2008, that needles and sharps used at home be transported only in approved containers and managed at state-approved facilities.

Preventing Blood-Borne Infections Through Pharmacy Syringe Sales and Safe Community Syringe Disposal [PDF - 1.1 MB ]
Supplement from the Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (2002)

Environmental Protection Agency's Medical Waste Website
For regulations regarding medical waste disposal.

Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal

Earth 911
To find a needle disposal program near you, enter “medical sharps” in the “Find recycling centers for” box and your zip code in the “Near” box on this website.

North American Syringe Exchange Network