Sharps disposal?

[Airway]

I have a full sharps container and cannot figure out where to dispose of it. The vet will charge me for it. I have also contacted my pharmacy, health department, local hospital, and police department. No one has any idea what I should do with it. I’m located 30 miles north of Jacksonville FL. Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Where I live, the city recycling depot will take sharps containers (they don't want needles ending up in the dump and sticking someone). Also, pharmacies are supposed to be mandated to accept sharps containers. Some comply, some don't. Do an internet search for needle exchange.

Edit: The recycling depot doesn't even ask for a proper sharps container. They told me to save my money and just put the needles in a plastic pop bottle.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Try your dental office. They might let you put it into theirs as the dental office red bags rarely get completely filled and the medical waste comes once a month to remove it and give them a new one.

 

[Karen & Lily]

I live in Naples Florida and can drop mine off at our local recycling center here in town. I brought mine to them in laundry detergent plastic containers and they gave me several free sharps containers in exchange.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

They should be happy you're not sending them to a landfill. Here drugstores are legally obligated to take sharpies at no charge. I dump mine in an old plastic litter pail and our vet is happy to take them. Your vet wants money??? If I went to the police with that I'd get Tased. You're doing the right thing.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Suggestions?

Get a needle clipper!! That way you just toss the syringe in the trash because there's no needle to worry about!!

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Get a needle clipper!! That way you just toss the syringe in the trash because there's no needle to worry about!!

Just don't use a pair of sharp pliers from your toolbox. Use something safe as Chris suggested. Speaking from experience - stitches in the palm of the hand.

 

[Squalliesmom]

I live in Maryland and my vet is in Delaware; I have had vets from both states take the used syringes from me without any problem (and no charge!). Maybe ask at another vet's?

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

My vet charged a $15 "disposal fee."

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

Just don't use a pair of sharp pliers from your toolbox.

I second that. And if that needle flies off it's like looking for a contact lens. Can't picture our boys batting that around after Andrew swallowed a staple. Shortly after the X-ray he pooped it out, sheer luck.

 

[TempestsMum]

My vet charged a $15 "disposal fee."

Ouch! I pay £1.50 for a sharps container from my pharmacy and that includes disposal, so when full I just take it back.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

This site gives contact info for FL counties so you can find out if your county has a program for disposal.

This site has links to EPA and postal service mail-in info. As a 'last resort', it also explains how to dispose of then in your regular garbage.

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

My vet charged me $25 dollars for a big bucket. It is the disposal fee. The pharmacy gave me a free small one (filled up in about 2-3 weeks) and would take it for disposal. When I searched online for my city - they also indicated it could be dropped off at the eco station in a marked screw cap heavy plastic jug.
I ended up getting the clippers and clip the syringe and lancet. I still put the lancet back into the plastic cover with the remaining metal piece and recap the clipped syringe. I then put the remaining parts in the garbage. Now the bylaws says I can't put "sharp" items used in medical care into household waste...but it the contaminated piece is now gone so figured it was ok.