Do

• Immediately place used needles and other sharps in a sharps disposal container to reduce the risk of needle-sticks, cuts, or punctures from loose sharps.
• Use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, if possible. If an FDA-cleared container isn't available, some organizations and community guidelines recommend using a heavy-duty plastic household container (i.e. laundry detergent container) as an alternative.
• Be prepared — carry a portable sharps disposal container for travel.
• Follow your community guidelines for getting rid of your sharps disposal container.
• Ask your health care provider, veterinarian, local hospital or pharmacist, where and how you can obtain an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container; if they can dispose of your used needles and other sharps, or if they know of safe disposal programs near you.
• Keep all needles and other sharps and sharps disposal containers out of reach of children and pets.
  

All sharps disposal containers should be:

• Made of a heavy-duty plastic
  
• Able to close with a tight-fitting, puncture-proof lid, without sharps being able to come out
  
• Upright and stable during use
  
• Leak-resistant
  
• Properly labeled
  

Don't

• Throw needles and other sharps into the trash.
  
• Flush needles and other sharps down the toilet.
• Put needles and other sharps in your recycling bin — they are not recyclable.
• Try to remove, bend, break, or recap needles used by another person. This can lead to accidental needle sticks, which may cause serious infections.
• Attempt to remove the needle without a needle clipper device because the needles could fall, fly off, or get lost and injure someone.
  

For more information contact your safety and health specialist or visit www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal.