Disposal options
Households and businesses that generate less than 50 pounds of needles, syringes, testing lancets and other “sharps” per month may dispose of them in the trash after following the steps below.
Safe used sharps disposal steps:
- Put used needles, syringes and testing lancets into an empty, thick-walled container that also has a screw-on lid. Laundry detergent and softener bottles are good examples. Soda bottles are too thin to be safely used.
- Store the bottle out of reach of children and pets.
- When the bottle still has a couple of inches of space remaining, screw the cap on tightly and secure it with heavy tape.
- Label the container with the warning: “DO NOT RECYCLE!” (Call our main line at 802-872-8100 to request a supply of free “do not recycle” sharps stickers.)
- Dispose of the container in your household trash. DO NOT put this bottle in your recycling.
Donation option for UNUSED sharps:
Howard Center Safe Recovery
Phone: 802-488-6067
Email: [email protected]
Notes
For more information on sharps disposal, and what to do if you are pricked by a needle or syringe, see the Vermont Department of Health’s safe needle disposal page.
Offices, clinics, and hospitals that generate 50 pounds or more of sharps per month must manage them as Regulated Medical Waste (RMW). For more information on RMW disposal options, see the medical waste section of this listing.