CREATE YOUR OWN SHARPS CONTAINER
If you do not have a hospital-issued container to collect lancets, needles, or syringes, you can make one from an empty detergent, or bleach container with these features:
- Lid that is tight-fitting and can be screwed on tightly.
- Mark your container with a line at 2/3 full. Do not fill beyond this line.
- Made of heavy duty plastic that cannot be punctured.
- Able to stand upright on its own.
DO:
- Keep sharps container out of reach of children
- Avoid touching or breaking sharps while placing them in your container
- Bring your container to a designated disposal location once 2/3 full
DON’T:
- Use water bottles, metal cans, or glass jars to contain your sharps
- Throw sharps or container into trash or recycling
DISPOSING OF YOUR SHARPS CONTAINER
- Visit safeneedledisposal.org to find a disposal location in your area.
- Contact your city, village, or township office and ask about household hazardous waste collection events.
- Contact your regular garbage collector and ask about your container pick-up.
Do NOT throw needles directly into your trash.
DISPOSING OF YOUR LIQUIDS:
Ranked in order of preferred to least-preferred option(s).
- Ask your pharmacy for a free opioid disposal solution when you pick up or order your liquid opioid.
- Find a permanent disposal site using our Disposal Map. Call the site ahead of time to ask if they accept liquids in the original container.
- Mix with used coffee grounds or cat litter in a sealable plastic bag. Throw away in your household trash.
Do NOT flush liquid opioids down the toilet.