Disposing of Used Syringes Safely at Home

Overview

Used needles and syringes need to go into a designated sharps container. Safe disposal protects you, the people you live with and everyone who handles waste after it leaves your home, and it only takes a few seconds each time you finish using a vial and syringe. It is one of the simplest habits to build into your routine.

Why ordinary bins aren’t safe

Needles can pierce plastic bags and cardboard, and a loose syringe in household rubbish can injure anyone who empties a bin, sorts recycling or collects waste. Recycling bins are not suitable either, because sorting is often done by hand. A sharps container is rigid, puncture-resistant and closes securely, so used items stay contained all the way to a proper disposal point. The points below explain what this means in practice.

Safe disposal, step by step

• Straight away: place each used needle or syringe in the container after use.
• Point down: drop items in carefully without forcing them inside.
• Do not overfill: stop when the container reaches its fill line.
• Keep it closed: keep the lid shut between uses.
• Out of reach: store the container away from children and pets.

Getting a sharps container

Contact your local pharmacy or clinic to ask where you can get a sharps container in your area. Many can also tell you how full the container should be before it is sealed, and which disposal points accept it. Keep the container somewhere stable and easy to reach, so there is never a reason to set a used syringe down anywhere else, even for a moment. If you have questions at any stage, our Australian team is just a message away.

When the container is full

• Seal it: close and lock the lid once it reaches the fill line.
• Label it: follow any labelling instructions printed on the container.
• Drop it off: take it to a disposal point your pharmacy or clinic recommends.
• Never empty it: do not open, empty or reuse a sharps container.
• Start fresh: replace it with a new container straight away.

Swabs and packaging

Used alcohol swabs and empty paper wrappers can usually go in general household waste, but check your local rules, and anything that has held a needle belongs in the sharps container. Keep the Syringes and Swab Pack sealed until you need it, and do not use any item if its sterile packaging is damaged or has already been opened.

Conclusion

Safe disposal takes seconds and prevents injuries to you and to others. If you have questions about the supplies in our Syringes and Swab Pack or about local disposal options, contact our team through the Contact page or ask your local pharmacy or clinic, who can point you to the nearest disposal point in your area.