If you inject any medicine at home, used needles and syringes (“sharps”) need their own container. Loose sharps in the trash can injure family members, pets and sanitation workers, and can spread infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
Step 1: Use a sharps container
- An FDA-cleared sharps container is best. They’re made of rigid, puncture-resistant plastic and have a fill line.
- If you don’t have one, the FDA says a heavy-duty plastic household container, such as a laundry detergent bottle, can work as a stand-in. It should be leak-resistant, stay upright, and have a tight, puncture-resistant lid.
- Don’t use glass, milk jugs, soda bottles or cans.
- Keep the container out of reach of children and pets.
- Stop filling at about three-quarters full. Overfilled containers cause needle sticks.
- Carry a small travel container when you’re away from home.
Step 2: Dispose of the full container
Rules depend on where you live. Common options include:
- Drop-off sites: some pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, fire stations and household hazardous waste facilities accept sealed containers.
- Mail-back programs: certain FDA-cleared containers come with a prepaid mailer, usually for a fee.
- Special waste pickup: some communities collect sharps containers from your home.
In California, it is illegal to put home-generated sharps in the trash or recycling. Use a drop-off site, mail-back program or household hazardous waste facility. Elsewhere, check with your local trash service or health department, or search your state at SafeNeedleDisposal.org.
Never do this
- Don’t throw loose needles in the trash or flush them.
- Don’t put sharps in the recycling bin.
- Don’t recap, bend or break needles by hand.
- Don’t reuse a sharps container.
FAQ
What if I get stuck by a used needle?
Wash the area with soap and water right away and call your doctor or go to urgent care. If the needle was used by someone else, seek care immediately.
Do pen needles and lancets count?
Yes. Pen needles, lancets, auto-injectors and infusion sets all go in the sharps container.
See the rest of what you’ll need in our home supplies checklist.
Educational only. This page is general information, not medical or legal advice, and it does not include dosing instructions. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, changing or stopping any treatment. Rules change, so check the date on this page.