New York

People in New York may dispose of used household sharps in the household trash. All hospitals and nursing homes in New York State are mandated by law to accept home-generated sharps as a free, community service through their sharps collection programs. Locate a hospital or nursing home in your region or county.

Step 1

Place them in a strong, plastic container, like a laundry detergent or bleach bottle.

Step 2

When the container is 75% full, seal it tightly with duct tape and label it “DO NOT RECYCLE.”

Step 3

Place the container in the regular household trash.

Important

Never flush household sharps down the toilet.
Do not throw used household sharps in recycling.
Do not throw loose needles and household sharps in the household trash before they are placed in a strong, plastic container.