FDA has made guidelines for Sharp Packaging to make Safe And Secure Disposal
The FDA advises that used needles and other sharps be directly placed in FDA-cleared sharps packaging disposal in containers.
After use, needles and other sharps must be placed in a safe and secure disposal container. A few options are available for disposal, depending on the specific situation.
In most cases, needles and other sharps can be placed in a regular household trash can. But, FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers are generally available through pharmacies, medical supply companies, health care providers, and online. Ensure the container is labeled with a warning about sharps danger and take care not to spill any of the material inside the can.
Finally, you can also contact your local hospital or health center to ask if they have any programs or protocols for disposing of sharps waste.
The Food and Drug Administration has cleared these containers for use by health care professionals. These containers are made of material that isn’t punctured and does not release sharps, which means they are safe to handle and dispose of after use.
Below are examples of FDA-cleared sharps containers:
There are various sizes of sharps disposal containers that are FDA-cleared. These containers can be used when away from home, making them convenient for travel.
A checklist of products and companies with FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers can be found here.
Although some of the products on this list have been cleared by the FDA, all products may not now be available on the market. If you cannot find a product on the list that is appropriate for your needs, you can contact your local hospital or health center to ask if they have any protocols for disposing of sharps waste.
Alternative Sharps Disposal Containers
Some organizations and community guidelines recommend using a heavy-duty plastic household container as an alternative to an FDA-cleared container when one is not available. The container should be leak-resistant, remain upright during use, and have a tight-fitting lid, such as a robust plastic container.
The features of a suitable sharps disposal container are described below. Household containers should also have these features.
-Leak-resistant -Upright during use -Tight-fitting lid -adequately labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container.
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