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Research – STATE BY STATE REGULATIONS ON SAFE NEEDLE DISPOSAL

Unfortunately, options for safe syringe and needle disposal vary from state-to-state, are often limited and poorly understood. Laws and regulations governing medical waste (including needles and other sharps) were primarily designed for health care facilities and medical waste operations. These laws and regulations can hinder community efforts to gather and consolidate household sharps for safe disposal as medical waste.

Click on the state and go right to that state’s regulation

Alabama:
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) publishes a brochure entitled “Handling and Disposal of Medical Waste – A Household Guide for Alabamians.” The guidance recommends that:

• Home generated needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp objects should be placed in a hard plastic container such as a liquid soap, bleach, or fabric-softener bottle or metal container with a screw-on (or tightly secured) lid. Sharps should not be placed in glass or clear-plastic containers.
• The lid should be reinforced with heavy-duty tape.
• Sharp objects should not be placed in any container that will be recycled or returned to a store.
• Containers should be marked “Not For Recycling.” Containers should never be labeled with the terms “medical waste” or “infectious waste” because those terms only apply to health care professionals.
• Containers used to dispose of sharp objects should be kept away from young children and pets.
• Filled containers should be disposed of as frequently as other garbage.

Alaska:
The state of Alaska has not developed written guidance on the disposal of household generated syringes.

Arizona:
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has developed the following guidelines: http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/waste/solid/ic.html#sharps
The guidance includes these recommendations:

• Medical sharps should be placed in either a medical sharps container purchased from a pharmacy or health care provider, or in a heavy-plastic or metal container.
• The container should be puncture-proof with a tight-fitting lid.
• Household containers, such as plastic detergent bottles, can be used if heavy duty tape is used to secure the lid to the container and the words “Not Recyclable” are written on the container with a black indelible marker.
The guidance includes these warnings:
• Do not use a clear or glass container.
• Do not over-fill the containers (fill only to approximately need to fill in # full).
• Keep container out of reach of children and pets.
• Always wash your hands after handling or touching medical sharps.

Arkansas:
The state of Arkansas has no current state-level guidance for individuals on how to safely dispose of used syringes.

California:
California has not published community syringe disposal guidance. New law on disposal of syringes by home users was passed in January 2007. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov:80/pub/05-06/bill/sen/sb_1301-1350/sb_1305_bill_20060712_chaptered.html
In addition, most household hazardous waste facilities in the state of California accept sharps from the community. Insert new paragraph Contact local HHW facility to see if sharps are collected and how are they to be contained.
Los Angeles: http://www.lacsd.org/info/hhw_e_waste/default.asp

Colorado:
Colorado offers guidance on disposing of household-generated syringes through two bulletins created by the state’s Department of Public Health and Environment, Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division. These bulletins are entitled “Household Medical Waste Management” and Infectious Waste Management.
The bulletins include these recommendations:

Needles, syringes, lancets, and other medical sharps should be:
• Placed in strong plastic or metal containers with screw-on or tightly secured lids (examples include empty bleach bottles, liquid detergent bottles, plastic milk jugs, or coffee cans. Strong tape should be used to secure the lid of coffee cans.)
• Once the container is full and sealed, it can be placed in the regular household trash.
The bulletins also include these warnings:
• Recyclable containers should not be used as sharps containers.
• Glass should never be used as a sharps container.
• All infectious waste should be stored out of reach of children and pets.

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Connecticut:
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Management does not provide written guidance for community syringe disposal.

However, Bureau staff recommends that before disposing of used syringes in the regular household trash, home users properly package them by:
• Placing syringes in rigid, puncture-resistant, opaque containers, such as bleach or liquid detergent bottles;
• Labeling the containers with the words “Do Not Recycle” and “Sharps”; and
• Securely sealing the containers with heavy-duty tape.
The staff also recommends that individuals contact hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, or other facilities to find out if they collect packaged used syringes.

Delaware:
The state of Delaware has not developed written guidance on the disposal of household generated syringes.

Florida:
The Department of Health publishes a document entitled, “Safe Disposal of Sharps at Home.”
The guidance states:
In order to reduce accidental needle sticks, the Florida Department of Health encourages individuals to find out how their county health department recommends disposing of used sharps. To see if a program exists in your county: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/biomedical/sharps.htm.
If you reside in the State of Florida and there is no sharps disposal program in your county, the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have developed the following disposal guidelines for home-generated biomedical waste:
Consult a health care professional about the possibility of accepting home generated waste for disposal in the health care facility’s biomedical waste stream. This will insure that properly trained and equipped individuals handle these materials. Contact the local United States Post Office branch for a list of approved biomedical waste mail-in services. Biomedical waste is placed into containers provided by these services and mailed to a facility for treatment.

For more information contact:
Florida Department of Health
Bureau of Community Environmental Health/HSEC
4052 Bald Cypress Way
BIN A08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1710
Tel: (850) 245-4277

Georgia:
Georgia state government does not provide guidance for the safe disposal of community sharps.

Hawaii:
The Hawaii Department of Health’s Office of Solid Waste Management has posted a fact sheet entitled “Proper Disposal of Home Care Waste.” http://mano.icsd.hawaii.gov/doh/eh/shwb/medwaste.pdf

The guidance recommends:
Place needles, syringes, lancets and other contaiminted sharps in any strong, leak proof plastic containers, such as empty bleach, laundry detergent or dish soap containers. The container should have a small opening so that no one is able to stick their hand into it.
The container must also be clearly marked, “BIOHAZARD.” Used needles and other contaminated sharps are NOT recyclable. Keep the sharps container separate from other materials that you set aside for recycling.
You do not have to recap, purposely bend, break or otherwise manipulate needles before inserting them into the disposal container. Drop all parts into the container.
Sharps should be sterilized or be chemically disinfected prior to disposal. Once your container is full, fill the container with one part bleach solution and ten parts water. Allow solutions to soak for 20 minutes. Then, pour the solution into the sink and seal the cap with tape before placing the disposal container into the garbage. Use heavy-duty tape. Be sure to keep all containers with discarded sharps out of the reach of children and pets.
For more information contact your local Department of Health.

Idaho:
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality publishes guidance entitled Eliminating Household Hazardous Waste.
The guidance contains the following information:

Medical Waste/Sharps
Potential Hazards:
The medical waste items most often generated by households in Idaho are disposable hypodermic syringes and needles (called sharps) used for home medications in the treatment of diabetes, allergies and other diseases. Other types of medical wastes produced by households are cultures and stocks, biological waste and pathological waste. Improper disposal of sharps can injure garbage haulers and landfill workers or, if contaminated with infectious disease organisms, transmit communicable diseases.
Disposal:
Sharps and other medical wastes are characterized as infectious waste and should be disposed of separately from household garbage. Contact your garbage hauler, local government solid waste department or public health department to obtain proper disposal containers and service information for packaging and collection in your area.
Contact the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality‘s Pollution Prevention Program at 208-373-0502.

Illinois:
Illinois has not created a formal policy on the disposal of syringes used by individuals at home. However, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land, publishes guidance on its web page under the heading “Potentially Infectious Medical Waste (http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/waste-mgmt/factsheets/general-regs.html). With regard to disposing of medical waste from homes, the guidance state:

Potentially Infectious Medical Waste (PIMW) does not include medical waste generated in a household. If a person chooses to place this medical waste in with their household trash, the following guidelines help protect the trash haulers, landfill workers, and others who may come in contact with the waste. First, the medical waste should be placed in a sturdy container such as a sharps container from the pharmacy, a laundry detergent bottle, or a soda bottle. When the container is full, the lid should be put on the container and taped in place. The container should then be marked “Do Not Recycle” and then placed in the regular trash.

The Bureau of Land also gives contact information for other agencies that may regulate syringe disposal:
Illinois Department of Public Health (http://www.idph.state.il.us/) (217) 785-2629.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land, Beverly Albarracin, (217) 524-3289.

Indiana:
Indiana has not developed its own written guidance on safe disposal of syringes used by individuals at home. Instead recommends EPA’s former guidance on at-home syringe disposal:

• Place needles and syringes in a hard plastic or metal container with a screw-on cap or tightly secure lid.
• Reinforce the lid of the container with heavy-duty tape.
• Label the container “Do Not Recycle.”
• Do not place the container with materials to be recycled.
• Do not use containers made of glass or clear plastic.
• Keep these containers out of the reach of children and pets.

Iowa:
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has not written guidance on safe disposal of used syringes. Individuals are advised to contact local solid waste authorities for safe syringe disposal procedures.

Kansas:
The state of Kansas has not developed written guidance on the disposal of syringes used in households.

Kentucky:
The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, Division of Waste Management has created a document entitled Medical Waste Management. This document provides guidance on how to safely dispose of sharps (syringes and lancets).
The guidance provides the following recommendations:

• A commercially available disposal system can be purchased through your local pharmacy.
• An alternative is a hard plastic container such as an empty laundry detergent bottle.
• Label the container to indicate that it contains sharps.
• Communicate with your garbage collector that you will be setting out sharps containers on a regular basis.

Louisiana:
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality provides guidance on how individuals can safely dispose of syringes. The guidance states:
insert new paragraph While used needles, syringes, lancets and other sharp implements may be safely disposed with other solid wastes from the home, it is important to exercise care in packaging needles, syringes, and lancets for disposal. The safe packaging of these wastes may be accomplished very simply in the home.

• Use a rigid plastic bottle with a tight fitting cap, such as an empty laundry detergent or fabric softener bottle, to store and dispose of sharps.
• When the bottle is full, cap it tightly, and place it with your other solid waste for disposal.
• Needles and syringes need not be recapped.
• Do not put sharp objects in any container that will be recycled or returned to a store.

Maine:
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the state of Maine has developed a document entitled “Household Biomedical Waste Management.” The document provides guidance to residents on how to safely dispose of household-generated syringes.
The guidance is not available on the web. Copies of the document can be obtained from: State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection Biomedical Waste Program Telephone: (207) 287-7854.

Maryland:
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has developed a document called Maryland Envirothon 2001 Resource Packet and Study Guide for Urban Non-Point Source Pollution-Household/Home Site. This document provides guidance how to safely dispose of medical waste, including syringes used at home.

The document recommends that sharps be:
• wrapped securely in paper or other material;
• placed in tough plastic or metal containers with tightly sealed lids, such as detergent containers or coffee cans; and
• placed safely in the trash can.

It also includes these warnings:
• Sharps cannot be recycled.
• Sharps should only be properly disposed of.
• Sharps should not be tossed in the trash haphazardly.
• Sharps should not be placed in soft containers such as milk jugs or cartons that can be easily punctured.

Massachusetts:
(NOTE: Massachusetts is in the process of redefining needle disposal for patients injecting at-home. The Department of Public Health and
The Department of Environmental Protection are working together to develop new disposal options for Massachusetts residents). Until the new laws are implemented follow the recommendations below:
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA-DEP) provides guidance about safe syringe disposal on its Recycling: Home Medical Waste (http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/hazards/medical.htm) website. The guidance describes handling and disposal options for home pharmaceuticals, sharps, and other medical wastes, such as soiled bandages and medical gloves.

The guidance provides these recommendations:
• Keep sharp objects such as needles, syringes, and lancets in secure containers out of the reach of children. Do not use glass.
• Place all sharp objects such as needles, syringes, and lancets in rigid plastic or metal containers with a screw-on or secure lid. Detergent or soda bottles are good. Reinforce the lid with heavy-duty tape. Label container NOT FOR RECYCLING and dispose of in the trash.
For more information, check with the Visiting Nurse Association or the MA Department of Public Health, Division of Community Sanitation at (617) 727-2660.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA-DPH) has also published guidance entitled Home Guide for Proper Disposal of Needles and Lancets (http://www.state.ma.us/dph/dcs/syring.htm).
The guidance gives the following tips:
• Obtain puncture-resistant plastic or metal container such as an empty detergent or bleach container with a screw-on or tightly secured lid, or an empty coffee can.
• Many local pharmacies also sell home sharps containers.
• Place used lancets, needles, and syringes in container.
• Drop sharps in container immediately after use.
• Dispose of syringes as one unit.
• Tightly seal the container when 3/4 full.
• When you are using a coffee can, reinforce the lid with heavy duct or electrical tape (you should completely cover the lid with tape to prevent punctures.)
• Contact your local board of health for trash disposal ordinances and further instructions.
Warnings:
• Do not use clear plastic or glass containers.
• Do not attempt to remove, bend, break or recap the needle.
• Store out of reach of children.

Michigan:
Michigan state government no longer publishes guidance for individuals on safe syringe disposal.

Minnesota:
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency publishes guidance on home needle disposal at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/hhw/sharps.cfm

Mississippi:

• Persons receiving health care from a home health agency are advised to determine whether these services provide a means of disposal for syringes or information on proper disposal methods.
• Persons are also advised to contact their local pharmacy or physician for syringe collection services or sharps disposal containers.
If the services or persons listed above cannot provide assistance in the disposal of syringes, individuals are encouraged to manage household medical waste in the following manner:
• Place sharps in hard plastic, puncture-resistant containers such as bleach, fabric softener and liquid soap bottles or metal containers with securely fitting lids.
• Soak sharps in a bleach solution that is one part bleach and ten parts water.
• Do not place sharps in containers that will be recycled or returned to a store.
• Do not place sharps in clear plastic or glass containers.
• Do not label the containers as “Medical Waste” or “Infectious Waste.” If the sharps container already has a label, place the container in a plastic bag that is securely fastened.

Missouri:
The state of Missouri has not developed written guidance on the disposal of household generated syringes.

Montana:
Montana does not provide written guidance for community syringe disposal.
However, representatives from the state’s Department of Environmental Quality, Community Services Bureau, recommend that individuals place used syringes in sharps containers purchased from pharmacies and check with their local health department to determine a safe means of disposal.

Nebraska:
In 2000, the Waste Management Division of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) developed a fact sheet entitled Handling Household Medical Waste [Click on "Publications/Forms" - "Integrated Waste Management" - "Fact Sheets" - "Handling Household Medical Waste"]. This fact sheet provides guidance to residents on how to safely dispose of household-generated “infectious waste," including syringes. The DEQ defines infectious waste as “any medical waste that is capable of causing disease in another human being if that person comes into contact with the waste."

The guidance includes these recommendations:
• Place the waste in a rigid or semi-rigid, puncture resistant and leak-proof container.
• Mark the container prominently with the universal bio-hazard symbol.
• Label the container "Infectious Waste" or "biohazard waste."
• Seal the container.
• Ensure that the outside of the container is free from contamination.
DEQ also recommends that any type of sharp medical waste such as needles or lancets, should be sealed in a puncture resistant container whether it is infectious or not. This will protect family members and waste handlers from possible cuts or punctures."

Nevada:
Nevada does not currently provide written guidance on community syringe disposal.

New Hampshire:
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services provides written guidance on safe syringe disposal in a brochure http://www.des.state.nh.us/factsheets/sw/sw-31.htm

New Jersey:
NJ Department of Health and Senior Services publishes guidance at http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/phss/syringe.pdf

New Mexico:
New Mexico’s Environment Department, Solid Waste Bureau, has developed a document called Solid Waste Bureau Guidance on Disposal of Medical Sharps Generated in Private Homes.

Disposal Tips for Home Health Care
This document provides tips on how to dispose of syringes used during home health care.

The guidance includes these recommendations:
• Place needles and syringes in a hard plastic or metal container with a screw-on cap or tightly secured lid.
• Reinforce the lid of the container with heavy-duty tape.
• Label the container “Not for Recycling.”

The guidance includes these warnings:
• Do not place the container with materials to be recycled.
• Do not use containers made of glass or clear plastic.
• Keep these containers out of the reach of children and pets.
• Place the container in a cardboard box, secure the cardboard box with tape, and dispose of the box in the household trash.

To get a copy of Solid Waste Bureau Guidance on Disposal of Medical Sharps Generated in Private Homes, contact:
New Mexico Environment Department
Solid Waste Bureau
P.O. Box 26110
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502-6110
Tel: (505) 827-2924

New York:
Two New York state agencies publish the same guidance on community syringe disposal:
1. New York State Department of Health, Expanded Syringe Access Program (ESAP) – “Household Sharps: Dispose of Them Safely” (http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/aids/index.htm)
2. New York Department of Environmental Conservation – “Household Sharps: Dispose of Them Safely” (http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/aids/index.htm)

North Carolina:
The Waste Management Division of North Carolina’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has developed a document on medical waste entitled Look Here First (http://wastenot.enr.state.nc.us/SWHOME/look97.htm), which includes a section on safe disposal of syringes used in the home.
Individuals who use syringes at home are urged to put them in a container that is “rigid, leak-proof when in an upright position and puncture resistant.” This container may then be labeled and packaged in accordance with any relevant U.S Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.

North Dakota:
North Dakota has not established regulations for the disposing of infectious wastes.

Ohio:
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes guidance on its infectious waste web site http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsiwm/pages/iwpro.html

The guidance suggests the following:
A person who generates sharp wastes ("sharps" include lancets, hypodermic needles, syringes, scalpel blades, and non-household glass articles that have been broken) for the purpose of their own care or treatment in their home is considered a home sharps user. For example, an insulin dependent diabetic or a terminally ill person being cared for by family members and given injections. Disposing of loose needles and syringes into the household waste poses a risk to family members and solid waste workers who must handle the waste. While Ohio law allows the disposal of sharps used by an individual for purposes of his/her own care or treatment in their home into the solid waste stream, it is important to recognize the hazard they pose to solid waste workers. Solid waste workers handle waste containers without knowledge of the contents.
It is recommended that home-generated sharps be packaged into a rigid container and marked with the wording sharps prior to disposal into the solid waste stream. Common household containers which meet the description of rigid are: liquid detergent & bleach bottles, 2 liter pop bottles, and coffee cans if the lid is securely taped to the can. In addition, the person may contact their local health department or hospital to inquire if they would accept the home generated sharps.

The Ohio EPA also publishes a fact sheet that expands upon its published guidance. “Disposal Tips for Household Generated Sharps” (http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsiwm/document/guidance/gd_462.pdf) provides information under the following headings.
• What are sharps?
• Who are home sharp users?
• What are my alternatives to a purchased sharps container?
• What are some other disposal alternatives for sharps?
• Can I put “sharps” into the trash?
• Why is it allowable to throw “sharps” into the trash and not properly package them?
• If I choose to package my “sharps” in a plastic bottle, will the bottle get recycled?

Oklahoma:
Solidification of sharps is required for small quantity generators (under 60 pounds). Oklahoma does not provide written guidance on community syringe disposal. However, the Department of Environmental Quality, Land Protection Division, recommends that individuals who use syringes at home place their syringes in rigid, puncture-proof containers, such as a liquid detergent bottle, and then fill the container with a matrix, such as cement or plaster.

Oregon:
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has a fact sheet on disposing of infectious waste, including sharps, entitled, Infectious Waste Disposal In Oregon. (http://www.deq.state.or.us/lq/sw/infectiouswaste/index.htm)

The guidance provides the following information:
• Sharps placed in containers can be put in a landfill without being treated (by incineration or autoclaving) if the containers are:
o tightly closed and sealed;
o leak proof;
o puncture resistant; and
o clearly identified as infectious waste.

Landfill operator must store these containers in a separate area of the landfill.
• Rigid plastic sharps containers are available from many pharmacies, as well as medical supply stores, some garbage hauling companies, or licensed biomedical waste management companies.
• Individuals can also drop off filled sharps containers at DEQ-sponsored Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events. (For more information, call 1-800-732-9253.)
• Additionally, individuals may contact a licensed medical waste management company for information about pickup and disposal of sharps.

The guidance provides the following warning:
We are pleased to provide the information in this fact sheet to help you understand more about infectious waste in Oregon. Ultimately, however, it is YOU, as a generator of infectious waste, who are responsible for seeing that your waste is collected, handled, stored, treated, and disposed in accordance with all federal, state and local regulations.

Questions? Contact the DEQ office closest to your facility.

For additional information about which facilities in the greater Portland metropolitan area accept treated infectious waste and the types of waste that can be placed in garbage, contact:
Metro's Regional Environmental Management Department
(503) 797-1650

For information about Metro's Sharps Container Exchange Program, contact:
Metro Recycling Hotline
(503) 234-3000

Oregon Department of Human Services –
The Oregon Department of Human Services, Health Division, also provides similar information on disposing of infectious waste. This brochure, Infectious Waste Disposal, (http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/acd/infectwaste/infect1.pdf) is a guide for all those who generate used sharps, including individuals.

Pennsylvania:
The state of Pennsylvania has not developed written guidance on the disposal of household-generated syringes.

Rhode Island:
The Diabetes Foundation of Rhode Island, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Department of Health and other public and private sector organizations, has developed a community sharps collection program with guidance for individuals called “Sharp Smart: The Nation’s First Statewide Residential Needle Disposal Program” (soon to be named “Eureka”).

South Carolina:
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has developed a “Get the Point” program that provides guidance on safely disposing of used syringes at home.

The guidance provides these recommendations:
• Sticker – Label an empty two-liter soda bottle with the warning “DO NOT RECYCLE” using either a “pre-made” warning sticker or one that you make.
• Store – Carefully put each of your used syringes into the bottle.
• Seal – Put tape over the closed bottle cap when the bottle is full.
• Safe Disposal – Dispose of the filled bottle in your household trash.

Now your syringes are safely held in a container that protects people from needle sticks and is unlikely to break open on its way to the landfill.”

The guidance includes these warnings:
Remember -
• Keep your container out of reach of small children and pets!
• Never flush your syringes down the toilet!
• Don’t fill your container to the top! Allow two to three inches between the syringes and the neck of the soda bottle.
• Put a lid on it! After you use a syringe or lancet, put it directly into a two-liter soda bottle with a tight cap.
• Pitch it! When the soda bottle is full and tightly sealed, throw it out in the trash.

South Dakota:
South Dakota has not published guidance for individuals on safely disposing of used syringes. However, the state’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources encourages individuals to disinfect used sharps before placing them into a rigid, puncture-resistant container and disposing of them in the household trash.

Tennessee:
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has not developed syringe disposal guidance for individuals who use syringes at home.

Texas:
Texas has not published information to guide individuals in safely disposing of syringes used at home. However, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Texas Department of Health recommend using guidance contained in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s former needle disposal recommendations which include the following:

• Place needles and syringes in a hard plastic or metal container with a screw-on cap or tightly secured lid.
• Reinforce the lid of the container with heavy-duty tape.
• Label the container “Not for Recycling.”
The guidance includes these warnings:
• Do not place the container with materials to be recycled.
• Do not use containers made of glass or clear plastic.
• Keep these containers out of the reach of children and pets.

Utah:
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste Section provides guidance, entitled "Infectious Waste Management" provides the following guidance for individuals who use syringes during home health care:
Infectious waste generated by home health care activities is not regulated by the state. Local health departments may have rules that differ from state rules. Please contact them for specific rules. However, the following procedures should be followed to minimize the potential risk from exposure to infectious waste.

• Isolate sharps in leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant containers such as a plastic soft drink bottle, a plastic milk bottle, or a sharps container commercially available at many pharmacies.
• When the container is full of sharps, the lid should be tightly secured and taped on. The sharps container may then be placed in the regular household waste container for curbside collection.

Vermont:
Vermont provides guidance for handling and disposing of medical waste, including syringes. Medical waste is regulated under the state’s Regulated Medical Waste Procedures. The guidance suggests placing sharps in hard plastic, opaque containers, such as a detergent bottle, and disposing of the container in the regular household trash.
The Vermont Department of Health Diabetes Program also has created a consumer booklet entitled Learning to Live Well with Diabetes. This booklet provides guidance on how to dispose of needles and syringes.

The guidance provides these recommendations:
• Place needles, syringes, lancets and other sharp objects in hard plastic opaque containers with a screw-on or tightly secured lid, for example, a detergent bottle.
• Before discarding the container, be sure to reinforce the lid with heavy-duty tape. This container goes into the regular household trash.
• You may even want to label the container: "NOT FOR RECYCLING."

For copies of this booklet, contact –
Lynne Dapice, MS, RN, Diabetes Program Administrator
Vermont Department of Health
PO Box 70, 108 Cherry St.
Burlington, Vermont 05402-0070
Tel: (802) 865-7708
Fax: (802) 651-1634
Email: ldapice@vdh.state.vt.us

Virginia:
Virginia has no published guidance for individuals on safe disposal of syringes used at home.

Washington:
The state of Washington has not published any state-level guidance for individuals on how to safely dispose of used syringes.

West Virginia:
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Public Health Sanitation Division, provides management guidelines for disposing of household generated syringes in a brochure entitled “A Household Guide for the Proper Disposal of Syringes and Sharps” (http://www.wvdhhr.org/wvimw/pdf/syringe_disposal.pdf).

The guidance includes these recommendations:
• Place syringes and needles in hard plastic or metal containers that have screw on caps or tightly fitting lids (Examples include: liquid detergent bottles, bleach bottles, or coffee cans. If a coffee can is used, reinforce the lid with heavy-duty tape.)
• Place the container in close proximity to where you will be using the syringes.
• Place the sharps directly into the container immediately after use.
• When the container is nearly full, add a sanitizing solution made by adding one teaspoon of 5.25% bleach to one pint of water and then seal the container.
• Label the container, “Not Recyclable Treated Sharps” with a permanent marker.
• Place the container in a plastic bag and seal the bag with tape.
• Place the bag in the garbage.

The guidance includes these warnings:
• Do not place syringes in clear plastic or glass containers.
• Be sure to store the containers in a secure location that is both child and animal proof.
• Do not recap, remove, bend or break the needle

Wisconsin:
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR) has developed a brochure, Disposing of Household Sharps (PUBL WA-804), which explain the health risks of unsafe syringe disposal, provides four steps to safe packaging, and describes disposal options. The state encourages hospitals, fire stations, and other community facilities to establish syringe container collection programs. To foster this effort, Wisconsin provides information about sharps collection stations throughout the state (cover sheet [PUBL WA-808a] and list of facilities [PUBL WA-808b])

Wyoming:
Wyoming has not established regulations for the disposing of infectious wastes. However, it does provide recommendations for its management and disposal in a document entitled Infectious Waste Management…Questions, Answers and Options.
The document provides these infectious waste management options:

• Treat the infectious waste, if possible, through technologies that include incineration, steam sterilization, thermal inactivation, gas/vapor sterilization, irradiation sterilization, and chemical disinfection.
• Dispose of infectious waste at a landfill provided the operator is notified and the facility accepts such wastes.
• Contact a commercial infectious waste contractor to transport the infectious waste to a treatment or disposal facility. (Persons may contact the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for a listing of local contractors.)

The document provides these recommendations for infectious waste disposal at a landfill:
Contact the manager of the local waste management system for any additional disposal requirements.
• Treat infectious waste prior to disposal if this is possible.
• Place sharps in rigid containers that are appropriately labeled.
• Notify all persons handling infectious waste as to its presence.
• Dispose of infectious waste in specially designated areas, if possible.
• At the landfill, cover infectious wastes with at least six inches of soil as soon as possible.

To get Infectious Waste Management “Questions, Answers and Options”, contact the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid & Hazardous Waste Division (WDEQ/SHWD) at (307) 777-7752. For further instruction or disposal options, call local WDEQ/SHWD staff:
Cheyenne – (307) 777-7752
Casper – (307) 473-3450
Lander – (307) 332-6924