Disposal of Sharps / Syringes

Sharps, syringes, and hypodermic needles (from a household) may be disposed of safely in the following manner:

1. Place items in sharps container or opaque, rigid plastic bottle.
   • Non-Sharps Container Example: Empty laundry detergent bottle
   • If an opaque, rigid plastic bottle is used, please tape the top and mark it "Do Not Recycle."
2. Check online for mail-back sharps container programs, search for "medical sharps disposal services".
3. If there is no mail-back program available, containers may be thrown away in the trash, or brought to the Loudoun County landfill for a fee.
   • This is for Loudoun County residents only.
   • If it is not from a resident, it is not accepted at the Loudoun County landfill and should handled by a regulated medical waste contractor for disposal.

Resources

• Safe Needle Disposal
• US Environmental Protection Agency: Disposal of Medical Sharps
• US Food and Drug Administration: Needles and Other Sharps Disposal (outside of a health care setting)
  • Dos and Don’ts of Proper Sharps Disposal