If you need to dispose of a needle or sharp:
DO NOT force needles or sharps into a container, put fingers inside the container, bend, break, recap or remove the needle, or walk while holding the needle.
INSTEAD make sure that you can clearly see and move around the needle, ensure no children or others are nearby, use gloves, and bring your sharps container or alternative to the needle, not the other way around.
TAKE ACTION by putting on gloves, placing the container on the ground beside the syringe, picking the syringe up by the middle of the barrel by using tongs or gloved hands (whichever provides the most control), placing the syringe into the sharps container sharp end first, securing the lid of the sharps container, removing gloves, and washing your hands.
If you do not have access to a sharps container, use a sturdy, puncture-resistant container with a tight fitting, puncture-resistant lid (such as a laundry detergent bottle) to dispose of the syringe. After placing the syringe into the container, tape the lid and write ‘Sharps – Do Not Recycle’ clearly and legibly on the outside of the container before placing it in the trash. You may also drop off sharps at a community drop-off location.
