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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If you would like to bring your sealed container to a community sharps disposal program, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation sponsors seasonal household hazardous waste collection events that accept properly contained sharps from Tennessee residents.

Chapter 1200-1-7.04 of the Rules of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Division of Solid Waste Management states "Sharps must be securely packaged in puncture-proof containers prior to land-filling." The Tennessee Bureau of Environmental Health Services Department of Environmental Conservation has issued the following guidelines for household-generated sharps: Needles and sharps should be placed inside a sturdy plastic container with a screw on lid (such as a laundry detergent or fabric softener bottle) and disposed of in your regular garbage. Bend the tip of the needle to prevent puncture.

State guidelines provided courtesy of NeedyMeds via SafeNeedleDisposal.org.