Needles & Syringes

Sharps are syringes, lancets and other types of medical equipment that are used in the treatment of diabetes, allergies or other forms of home health care and animal care. Discarding loose sharps or syringes in the trash poses a risk to the people that collect and handle your garbage. Needle sticks from used sharps can pass on germs and diseases such as Hepatitis B. 

Never place sharps containers in your recycling bin! 

For home-generated sharps, first contact your doctor to see if they can provide you with a disposal option for your sharps. If they can't, you should dispose of your home-generated sharps in the following way:

1. Place used needles and other sharps in an empty laundry detergent bottle. Keep the bottle capped when not in use.
2. When the bottle is full, cap it tightly and label it as follows: "WARNING: SHARPS! DO NOT RECYCLE!" Call the District at (802) 388-2333 to request free sharps adhesive labels.
3. Seal the bottle cap with heavy tape (duct tape works well for this purpose).
4. So they'll know to be extra careful, please call your garbage hauler to let them know before you place this container in the trash.
5. Place the filled, sealed and labelled bottle in your regular household trash.

Businesses (including doctors, home health care nurses, dentists, veterinarians, and tattoo parlors) which generate sharps or other medical wastes should contact the District office at (802) 388-2333 for information on proper and legal management options.