7 Don’ts of Disposal of Sharps Containers

Not counting the health care setting, Americans discard over 8 billion used needles every year. Unfortunately, a good deal of this is not discarded in a safe and appropriate manner and is a danger to the community. Proper disposal of sharps containers is something you need to know, whether you are using needles yourself or on someone else (like a family member or a patient).

Here are a few things you should be careful not to do regarding disposal of sharps containers:

  1. Don’t throw loose sharps into the trash

Loose and used sharps don’t belong in the trash with the food or other stuff you’ve thrown in there. They don’t even belong together with most other medical waste, such as used gloves, blood-soaked bandages and gauzes, liquids such as blood, urine, specimen (human or animal), used patient sheets and towels, body parts, etc.

  1. Don’t flush sharps

Just like you shouldn’t throw used sharps into the trash, you also shouldn’t flush them down the toilet. They don’t dissolve in water and may cause problems with your pipes. As a result of this, you may be putting your plumber in danger when he tries to remove the needle from your pipes.

  1. Don’t recycle used sharps

Used medical sharps are not a recyclable items so don’t put them in a recycle bin. Another reason why you should avoid throwing sharps in a recycle bin is that items in it often need to be sorted by hand by workers and they might get stuck on your used needles and other sharps

  1. Don’t use anything the sharps can pierce or cut through

Trash bags, cardboard and glass jars are not good choices for sharps containers. This is because they can either be pierced or cut through by needles, lancets, scalpel blades and other sharps, or can break and shatter. In addition, make sure not to use a container that might leak.

  1. Don’t use containers that don’t have a closable lid

Never use open-top containers for holding used sharps in them. Even if you’ve followed the previous “don’t” listed here and made sure it is made of solid material that won’t break, bend or leak, you’ve basically thrown all your efforts away. Simply put, a lid is there to make sure that whatever is inside (potentially hazardous medical waste in this case) stays inside.

  1. Don’t allow children or animals near the sharps container

Another “don’t” regarding disposal of sharps containers is to never allow children or animals near one, even if it is closed.

  1. Don’t throw unlabeled sharps containers

Last, but definitely not the least of the don’ts of disposal of sharps containers is: always make sure to properly label sharps containers as “medical waste”. This is a warning to the person or persons handling the waste that they should take extra precaution measures about the container.

We at Medical Waste Management (MWM) Florida can ensure your full sharps containers are removed safely and according to OSHA guidelines. If you need professional and quick disposal of sharps containers get in touch with us on our website at https://medicalwastefl.com/, using the phone number 305-677-2343 or via email at [email protected]. We are looking forward to providing excellent customer service to you!