Sharps

Preparation and Disposal

Medical Sharps

Medical sharps include needles, syringes and lancets. SWS provides disposal services to County residents at no charge. It is essential that sharp objects are disposed of using safe practices to reduce the risk of injury to the public and to County or contract employees.

• place residential medical sharps inside a sealable, rigid, puncture-proof plastic container (maximum five litre container)
• pour bleach over the full container contents and leave for a minimum of 24 hours. Pour off the bleach.
• seal the container and clearly label it "SHARPS"
• deliver to HHW Technician at the Mobile HHW Depot
• many pharmacies provide free medical sharps disposal services. For a list of collection locations near you, visit the Health Products Stewardship Association and search by postal code or city for a participating pharmacy in your area.

Medical sharps generated by the commercial, institutional, industrial and agricultural sectors cannot be accepted. For more information, contact the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) at 1-800-565-4923, or MECP licensed hazardous waste carriers/haulers (listed in telephone books under headings such as Liquid Waste Removal and Waste Management).

Non-Medical Sharps

Sharps include any materials with a jagged, sharp or pointed end capable of cutting or puncturing. It is essential that sharp objects are disposed of using safe practices to reduce the risk of injury to the public and to County or contract employees.

• carefully wrap non-medical sharps in newspaper and place inside a cardboard box suitable for the quantity of material
• seal the box and label it "SHARPS"
• deliver to a County waste facility - sharps will not be collected curbside
• let the site attendant know that you have "non-medical sharps" and follow the directions for proper disposal
• pay the appropriate fees based on the County's fee schedule
• if you have any type of non-medical sharp that cannot be disposed of practically using this procedure, please contact SWS for alternative instructions