Home-generated biomedical waste is any type of syringe, lancet or needle (“sharps”) used in the home to either inject medication or draw blood. Special care must be taken with the disposal of these items to protect you and others from injury, and to keep the environment clean and safe.
Based on your therapy, an appropriate size and type of sharps container will be provided to you. The following simple rules will help to ensure your safety:
Sharps
- Place all needles, syringes, lancets and other sharp objects into a sharps container.
- If a sharps container is not available, a hard plastic or metal container with a screw-on top or other securable lid should be used.
- Before discarding, reinforce the top with heavy-duty tape.
- Do not use clear plastic or glass containers.
- Containers should be no more than 3/4 full.
Disposal
- Check with your local waste collection service to make sure these disposal procedures are acceptable in your community.
- Consult with your local health or fire department for the disposal policy of these types of items in your area.
- Ask your prescriber about the possibility of disposal of items in their office during your next visit or visit the Safe Needle Disposal website: https://safeneedledisposal.org.
Needle-stick safety
- Never replace the cap on needles.
- Dispose of used needles in a disposal container immediately after use.
- Plan for the safe handling and disposal of needles before using them.
- Promptly report all needle stick or sharps-related injuries to your prescriber.
- If your therapy does not involve the use of needles or sharp items, you do not need a sharps container.