Hypodermic Needle & Sharps Disposal

Sharps are devices used for puncturing the skin and/or for delivering medication via a needle or syringe and similar devices. Sharps are essential for the proper care of many patients and they can be safely used and disposed.  Please consult with your prescribing physician and follow these guidelines.

Never place loose needles and other sharps in the household or public trash cans or recycling bins, and never flush them down the toilet. This puts trash and sewage workers, janitors, housekeepers, household members, and children at risk of being harmed.  Sharps and other medical supplies can also clog our sewage systems.

Please use a specially designed and approved sharps disposal container.  These are available in a variety of sizes, including travel sizes.  Keep it in a safe place in your household, preferably in a locked location.  And please, when the container is full, dispose of it in the proper manner such as described in these FDA guidelines.  Never leave your sharps container unattended.

All business and medical professionals are regulated under State and Federal biohazardous waste laws and must follows those guidelines.

Learn more about the proper disposal of Biomedical Waste.

If you have questions about sharps disposal, please contact City of Fort Lauderdale 24-hour Customer Service.