Disposal of used works

Access to disposal facilities vary throughout the country. Sharps bins are available through needle exchanges and drug services. One thing to remember is that sharps bins should not be overfilled or this could lead to spikes piercing the plastic. Bins should only be filled two-thirds full.

With larger syringes, the barrel and the plunger should be separated and the needle taken out. Then the needle should be put inside the barrel, the plunger replaced, and the equipment pushed in until the needle bends and jams. Then the works should be bagged and disposed of in a bin. This should not be done with small syringes, because the needle can stick through the barrel.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.