How to Dispose of Sharps in Your State

	Put used sharps in a heavy-duty, plastic container. See: List of acceptable containers. Loose sharps should never be thrown into the trash or toilet.
	When the container is about three-quarters (¾) full, put the lid on, seal it with duct tape, and label: DO NOT RECYCLE.
	Put the sealed plastic container in the household trash - do not recycle! If a trash collector is reluctant to collect a red sharps container, refer them to your state waste agency.

• If you have a needle clipper, it can be disposed of according to your state or local regulations when full. See: More information on needle clippers.
• Sharps that retract after use, or are very small, should be disposed of like all other sharps.

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At this time, SafeNeedleDisposal.org knows of no known community-sponsored sharps disposal programs in the state of South Carolina.

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services has issued the following guidelines for household-generated sharps: Many residents have medical conditions that require self-injections at home. Because of issues regarding safety and the spread of disease, the disposal of home-generated needles, syringes and lancets (or "sharps") has caused some concern among families and trash collection services as well as landfill and recycling staff. Responding to this growing concern, DES has developed the "Get the Point" program, a safe, simple and convenient way to dispose of sharps. Home-generated sharps should be disposed of in an empty bleach or detergent bottle. First, place the free, warning sticker on the bottle and place the needles inside the bottle. Once the bottle is about 3/4 full, the cap should be tightly secured. Then discard the bottle in the household trash.

VERY IMPORTANT: Always remember to place the warning sticker on bottles! For FREE stickers, call 1-800-285-5257. To view and print a copy of the sticker, go to the following website: Click Here to Open

State guidelines provided courtesy of NeedyMeds via SafeNeedleDisposal.org.