Proper Needle Disposal
Disposal Tips for Home Health Care
A Joint Message from the
Brookline Department of Public Health
and the
Brookline Department of Public Works
You can help prevent
injury, illness and pollution by following some simple steps when you dispose of the sharp
objects and contaminated materials you use in administering health care in your home. You
should place:
Needles,
Syringes, Lancets and Other sharp objects
in a hard plastic
container with a screw on lid, having this symbol on the bottom of the container:
Many laundry
detergent bottles meet these requirements. DO NOT USE glass or clear plastic containers.
Collect needles,
syringes, lancets and other sharp objects in an approved container until it is ¾ full.
- Fill the container of sharps with a
solution of 1 part regular household bleach to 10 parts water.
- Tape the lid securely to the
container with a heavy-duty tape and place container in a trash bag with other household
trash.
- Place bag out for pickup as you
would other household trash. DO NOT PLACE CONTAINER IN RECYCLE BINS.
WE ALSO RECOMMEND THAT:
Soiled bandages, Disposable sheets, Medical gloves, etc. be placed in securely fastened
plastic bags before you put them in the garbage can with your other trash.
Those who purchase containers specifically designed for the disposal of medical waste
sharps, please be sure to reinforce the lid with a heavy-duty tape and place in a trash
bag with other household trash.
Brookline Public
Health Nurses
Barbara Westley, RN, BSN
(617) 730-2320
Brookline Department
of Public Health
Patrick Maloney,
Chief Environmental Health
(617) 730-2300
Brookline Department of Public Works
(617) 730-2156
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