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 (3/4) full, put the lid on, seal it with duct tape, and label: DO NOT RECYCLE. Do not throw the container in the trash or recycling
	Use our locator to find container disposal options near you.

• 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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Most counties in Wisconsin have disposal programs. Call the program to confirm if there are any container requirements, disposal fees or residency restrictions. Click here for information on pharmaceutical company takeback programs.

The state of Wisconsin issued a statute in 1992 which mandates that all generators of medical waste manage their sharps safely and separately from other wastes. State medical waste rules adopted in 1994 as NR 526.09 (5) contain provisions to implement a statewide sharps collection program. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources maintains a list of registered sharps collection stations on its website.

State guidelines provided courtesy of NeedyMeds via SafeNeedleDisposal.org.