Proper Disposal of Used Syringes and Needles: A Complete Guide

Whether you’re managing a busy clinic, hospital department, or ordering supplies for a diabetic household, understanding how to safely handle and dispose of sharps is not just a good practice - it’s vital.

At Med Lab Supply, we prioritize your safety and well-being by offering reliable, cost-effective solutions for managing sharps waste. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the importance of sharps disposal, how to do it correctly, and what container is best for your situation.

Why Proper Disposal Matters

Used syringes, needles, scalples, and lancets, known as sharps, pose a serious risk of injury, and infection is not handled appropriately. Bloodborne pathogens like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV can be transmitted by a single poke from one of these sharps. Proper disposal helps prevent this from happening in addition to being more environmentally friendly.

A sharps container is specifically designed to be puncture-resistant and is used for the following sharp objects:

Hypodermic needles
Insulin syringes
Disposable scalpels and blades
Lancets
Auto-injecting pens (e.g., EpiPens)
Connection needles

Sharps containers are a must in hospitals, urgent care centers, physician’s offices, outpatient clinics, and even diabetic households—yes, even at home.

How to Properly Dispose of Sharps

Here’s a step-by-step process to follow:

Immediately dispose of sharps after use. Never recap or bend needles.
Use an approved sharps container, such as the Cardinal Monoject Chimney Top Sharps Container (8 Quarts).
Do not overfill—containers should be replaced when they are three-quarters full.
Seal the container tightly and follow your local guidelines for medical waste disposal.
Never dispose of sharps in household trash, recycling bins, or in the lavatory.

For a smaller sharps disposal container, check out the 1.4 Quart Red BD Sharps Container, or for a wider range of options, visit this link.

At Med Lab Supply, we don’t just sell products; we support your commitment to health and safety. From hospitals to homes, we’re proud to be your trusted partner in health.

Order your sharps disposal products today!