Container Options for Used Sharps
Used sharps must be placed in a strong, plastic container to be disposed of safely. There are many types of containers available.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-Cleared Sharps Containers are specifically made to hold used sharps and may be provided with new sharps by a healthcare professional or purchased. You may purchase an FDA-cleared sharps container at Chippewa County Department of Public Health for $7.
If you do not have an FDA-cleared container, you must use Strong, Plastic Containers with secure screw-on caps, such as empty laundry detergent or bleach bottles. We will not accept sharps in containers such as coffee cans, milk jugs, plastic bags, aluminum cans, or soda bottles, as they are unsuitable for sharp objects.
How to Dispose of Sharps Safely
To reduce the risk of injury, follow these four steps to get medical sharps ready for safe disposal.
- Prepare Sharps: Use needle clippers to cut off sharp points or put the cover back on needles if they are your own.
- Use the Right Containers: Place sharps in strong, puncture-resistant containers with secure screw-on caps. You can use special sharps containers or thick plastic bottles, like those used for laundry detergent. We will not accept sharps in coffee cans, milk jugs, plastic bags, aluminum cans, or soda bottles. Note: Do not add bleach to the container, as it can be hazardous.
- Label the Container: Write
biohazard
, infectious waste
, or sharps
on the container. If it's recyclable, mark it Do not recycle.
- Dispose of the Container: When the container is full, seal it tightly and label it. Keep it away from children. Take it to a sharps collection station or follow other approved disposal methods.
For more information about where to take expired or unused medications, visit our harm reduction page. Thank you for helping keep our community safe and clean!