How to properly dispose of your personal needles and sharps
As the number of medications that must be injected by patients grows, so does the number of reported accidental needle ‘sticks’ for municipal solid waste collectors and workers. With diseases like HIV and Hepatitis potentially transmitted by dirty needles, in addition to other possible illnesses, MSW departments are concerned for the health of their employees, and rightly so.
But there is no good reason why the health and safety of these workers need be put in jeopardy when accidental sticks are easily preventable. Virtually every municipality and state in the country requires that used medical needles and sharps be disposed of in puncture-proof containers. And while some locations will allow for improvised solutions, such as empty laundry detergent bottles, most do require purpose-specific sharps containers.
The dangers of accidental sticks are so great that several states have gone so far as to completely ban disposal of used sharps and needle in the household waste, even if properly contained in a purpose-specific sharps container. A number of states require disinfecting any sharps before disposal in the household trash. Some locations require all needles and sharps be destroyed before disposal. This can be with the use of an at-home needle clipper or plaster of Paris.
Mail-Back Programs are a Solution
TerraCycle can provide an easy, safe solution for sharps disposal. We feature puncture-resistant sharps containers in a wide array of sizes– from household sized containers, perfect for the person needing to inject once a month all the way to institutionally-sized containers for small medical offices or tattoo/piercing parlors. And every sharps container we offer comes with prepaid postage and shipping containers, so that disposal is handled safely, professionally and properly.
Our mail-back medwaste disposal meets or exceeds sharps disposal requirements in every state, including California, Massachusetts and Oregon. And unlike most medwaste processors, TerraCycle utilizes hemostat technology to decontaminate the sharps and needles, then recovers the recyclable metals, limiting the impact on the environment.
TerraCycle has compiled a list of state regulations on the disposal of sharps and needles for your convenience. If you have any questions or would like more information on one of our mail-back programs, contact a TerraCycle Regulated Waste representative now.
State Regulations
| State | Requirements | Sub-sections | Requirements |
| Alabama | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Disinfect at home w/ bleach Double bag, seal, discard in household trash | ||
| Alaska | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| Arizona | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| Arkansas | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Disinfect at home w/bleach Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Double bag and discard with household trash | ||
| California | Disposal of home generated sharps waste PROHIBITED Commercially available APPROVED sharps container Transport to collection center (pharmacy, hospital, household hazardous waste facility) -or- Mail-back program | ||
| Colorado | County laws supersede state requirements Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash- not recycling | Mesa County El Paso County Larimer County | Refer to local regulations |
| Connecticut | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container or Sharps/Needle destruction device No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| Delaware | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Double bag Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| District of Columbia | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Disinfect at home w/bleach Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” | ||
| Florida | County laws supersede state requirements Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash -or- Mail-back program | 54 counties out of 67 have regulations in place | Refer to local regulations |
| Georgia | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Double bag Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| Hawaii | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Disinfect at home w/ bleach Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Double bag Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| Idaho | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Double bag Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| Illinois | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Personal needle destructive device Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash- not recycling | Northern Cook County LaSalle County Further regulations | http://www.epa.illinois.gov/Assets/iepa/waste-management/medication-disposal/sharps-fact-sheet.pdf http://www.knib.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Safe-Disposal-of-Sharps.pdf |
| Indiana | County laws supersede | ||
| Iowa | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| Kansas | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Disinfect at home w/ bleach Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Double Bag Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| Kentucky | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| Louisiana | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Fill with Plaster of Paris Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| Maine | Contact medical provider, community health center for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Strong plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal container and ensure outside is free of visible contamination Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device (free to residents) | ||
| Maryland | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| Massachusetts | Disposal of home generated sharps waste PROHIBITED Commercially available sharps container or puncture-resistant container Transport to collection center (pharmacy, hospital, household hazardous waste facility) -or- Mail-back program | ||
| Michigan | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| Minnesota | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| Mississippi | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| Missouri | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| Montana | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| Nebraska | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| Nevada | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program | * Washoe County Exception | |
| New Hampshire | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| New Jersey | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| New Mexico | County laws supersede | ||
| New York | State law allows disposal of home generated sharps in the regular trash, however, local laws may prohibit Hospital and nursing homes are required by law to accept properly contained sharps: Commercially available sharps container, puncture resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal the container with heavy-duty tape | ||
| North Carolina | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| North Dakota | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| Ohio | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| Oklahoma | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling | ||
| Oregon | Disposal of home generated sharps waste PROHIBITED Commercially available APPROVED sharps container Transport to collection center (pharmacy, hospital, household hazardous waste facility) -or- Mail-back program | ||
| Pennsylvania | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Disinfect at home w/bleach Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Double bag and discard with household trash | ||
| Rhode Island | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Double bag and discard with household trash | ||
| South Carolina | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Double bag and label with state-supplied warning sticker Discard with household trash | State-supplied warning stickers available for free at 800-285-5257 | |
| South Dakota | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Disinfect at home w/bleach Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash | ||
| Tennessee | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash | ||
| Texas | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash | ||
| Utah | Contact medical provider, pharmacy, fire station for local disposal options -or- Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Seal with heavy-duty tape Discard with household trash- not recycling -or- Mail back program -or- Personal sharps needle destruction device | ||
| Vermont | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash | ||
| Virginia | County and Municipal regulations supersede Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash | City of Salem Fairfax County Prince William County | |
| Washington | County and Municipal regulations supersede Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash | King County | King County prohibits disposal of used sharps in residential trash |
| West Virginia | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Disinfect at home w/bleach Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Double bag and discard with household trash | ||
| Wisconsin | Disposal of home generated sharps waste PROHIBITED Commercially available sharps container or puncture-resistant container Transport to collection center (pharmacy, hospital, household hazardous waste facility) -or- Mail-back program | ||
| Wyoming | Commercially available sharps container or Puncture-resistant plastic or metal container No clear or glass containers Seal with heavy-duty tape Label container: “SHARPS” or “DO NOT RECYCLE” Discard with household trash |