Get the Point

Be Safe with Syringes and Lancets

Print This Page

A Home Guide to Syringe and Sharps Disposal

The Problem

If you use syringes and lancets to control diabetes, allergies, or any other medical symptom, your loose syringes thrown in your garbage or recyclables can hurt people and is illegal.

Sanitation workers face many hazards and being stuck by a needle is a real possibility if needles are not disposed of properly

Even though you may feel healthy, your used syringes can cause harm and pass on germs.

Serious diseases such as Hepatitis B can result from an accidental needle stick!

The Goal

To prepare your sharps for safe disposal that protects people from needle sticks during transportation or disposal.

Gather:

Sturdy plastic bottles with a screw on lid, masking tape, and permanent marker

Sticker:

Label the plastic bottle using masking tape and a permanent marker with the warning:

SHARPS!
Do Not Recycle.
Dispose Properly.
You can also purchase sharps containers from your pharmacist and it will be labeled properly.

Store:

Keep this container away from children and pets. Carefully place each used syringe or lancet into the bottle. When storing, keep the cap on the bottle for safety.

Seal:

When the bottle is full, secure the lid with tape.

Safe Disposal:

Preferred Method:

Dispose of the filled bottle at UnderTheSink, 4001 South 120th Street. UnderTheSink is open to receive your sharps container: Wednesdays 9AM to 4:45PM; Thursday 9AM to 6:15PM; Friday 9AM to 4:45PM. It can be arranged for UnderTheSink to receive your sharps on Saturday, if you call 402-444-sink (402-444-7465). UnderTheSink is open to Douglas and Sarpy County residents only. There is no charge for using UnderTheSink

Acceptable, but not preferred:

Double bag the plastic bottle of needles with the screw on lid taped on. Place in garbage.

Remember

• Keep your container out of reach of small children and pets with the cap on!
• Never flush your syringes or lancets down the toilet!
• Don't fill your container to the top! Allow two to three inches in-between the syringes and the neck of the plastic bottle.
• Put a lid on it! After you use a syringe or lancet, put it directly into your sharps collection container and replace the lid.
• When the bottle is full, screw the lid on tightly and secure with tape. Take the bottle of sharps to UnderTheSink for proper disposal.
• Although it is not preferred, you may dispose of the bottle of sharps with a securely taped on lid in your garbage if you double bag the bottle.

Syringe Disposal Restrictions

This brochure was designed for assistance with disposal of syringes and lancets used in private residences only. Sharps produced in the health care industry or by businesses are strictly regulated by law.

(Omaha Municipal Code Chapter 33, Article V, Section 202)

The City of Omaha acknowledges the State of South Carolina as a source for this brochure.