Improper disposal of needles and ‘sharps’ continue to be an overlooked problem in communities around the world; epinephrine and insulin pens, auto injectors, syringes, lancets and needles are a few of the devices classified as ‘sharps’. Disposing of these without taking the proper precautions can create a health hazard for many environmental service workers. Think of the Waste Management workers, janitors, housekeepers, recycling workers and sewage treatment personnel. When a needle is thrown away improperly (such as in the trash loosely), it has the dangerous potential to stick whoever picks up that trash bag. It could even put animals at risk for injury if they decide to go looking for lunch. Any of these potential scenarios can expose children, animals and workers to injury. Getting medical testing for a potential infection costs thousands of dollars yearly and can cause unneeded emotional stress on the victim.

Issues with Needle Disposal

Some people may also think that throwing sharps in the recycling is acceptable. This is not the case! Throwing sharps in the recycling can jam and damage machines at sorting facilities. Flushing lancets or syringes down the toilet can cause sewage blockages and create issues with wastewater treatment and collection. This is a huge issue because over 9 million Americans use sharps per day to manage a multitude of conditions. From cancer, infertility, migraines, diabetes, osteoporosis, blood clotting disorders to low testosterone, millions of Americans use sharps to manage chronic disease. There are over 100 million Americans who use lancets on a daily basis to manage diabetes.

The Solution

Sharps are not going anywhere. Millions, perhaps billions of needles are thrown away yearly, and knowing how to properly dispose of these is essential. Proper disposal offers less hazards to the environment, protects environmental service workers and makes the world a safer place. So, what do you do? All used sharps should be placed in a sharps container. Typically these are reinforced plastic containers. Maybe you’ve seen them with a bio-hazard symbol at your local Doctor’s office. They’re usually bright red and easy to see. These containers can be purchased at pharmacies, medical supply stores and online retailers. The container should be puncture-proof and have a secure screw-top lid. When you are throwing the container away, make sure that the container is not overfilled and the lid is tightly secured. Taping the container tightly can also help secure the contents of the container. Lastly, label the container “Do Not Recycle” and then put it in the trash, not the recycling. Some localities do not allow sharps disposal in household trash. There are a few alternative options, such as taking sharps to a specialized waste collection entity or a sharps drop-off site. A quick online search will provide you with any relevant information in your area.

Prescription Assistance

If you need assistance in paying for your medications and are uninsured or under-insured, Advocate My Meds is here to help. We are a prescription assistance program that helps people get the medication they need at little to no cost. There are many medications that deal with sharps and sharps disposal. If you have any questions about these medications or sharps disposal, do not hesitate to contact us about prescription assistance.