Safe disposal of sharps For those living with diabetes, sharps are a part of the process. But when it comes to disposing of your sharps, how should you be disposing of them, and is it the same process across Australia? For the health and safety of the community it is important to keep sharps out of our general waste and recycling systems, as the safe disposal of sharps reduces the risk of harm to others, and the environment. Read on to find out how and where to safely dispose of your sharps. What are sharps? Sharps are medical devices that penetrate the skin and are used in the home or outside formal medical services, such as hospitals. They include syringes, pen needles, lancets (finger prickers) and insulin pump insertion needles (not the tubing). How to dispose of sharps safely Used sharps should be immediately placed in a sharps disposal container, such as: An Australian Standard Sharps container, or A puncture-resistant plastic container with a screw top. Sharps can only be disposed of at designated sharps disposal facilities, provided that they have been stored in a proper container beforehand. Avoid using containers such as soft drink bottles, glass containers and aluminium cans, as these are not puncture-resistant or shatterproof, which may expose the sharps inside if broken. Dispose containers only at designated disposal facilities, such as: Hospitals Participating pharmacies and medical centres Community sharps disposal bins provided by local councils. Requirements and disposal locations will vary between state and territory, with dedicated sections outlined below. It is recommended that you contact the facility or provider before dropping off a container to ensure that they will accept the container for disposal. Can I dispose of sharps in general waste bins? Sharps cannot – and should not – be disposed in household general waste bins due to community health risks. However, some diabetes supplies may be disposed of in the garbage bin, including: Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) patches/covers, and used CGM sensors Alcohol swabs, blood test strips, ketone test strips and control solution Pump patches/covers and tubing. If you’re not sure about how to properly dispose of a product, check with your device’s instructions for further information, or contact the manufacturer for their latest advice. Sharps disposal locations There are a number of sharps disposal locations around Australia, with more details listed below. Click on the state or territory to find out more: Australian Capital Territory (ACT) New South Wales (NSW) Northern Territory (NT) Queensland (QLD) South Australia (SA) Tasmania (TAS) Victoria (VIC) Western Australia (WA) Sharps disposal ACT The ACT Government provides sharps disposal containers in select public toilets, and provides a Sharps Hotline when sharps are located in public spaces by the general public. Sharps can also be properly disposed of at select public health centres, although it’s best to contact them to ensure they can service the proper disposal of sharps. There are multiple waste and resource management drop-off centres around the territory that allow bulk disposal of sharps, with locations available via the ACT Government Recyclopaedia website. Check out or download our brochure on sharps disposal in the ACT to view what classifies as a sharp, and disposal locations. Sharps disposal NSW Sharps can be properly disposed of at multiple locations around NSW, including public hospitals, community health centres and pharmacies, along with select public spaces such as public toilets and parks, although it’s best to contact locations beforehand. Additional information can be located via the NSW Government Community Sharps Management resource. Check out or download our brochure on sharps disposal. The brochure is also available in a number of languages, which can be found in our Multicultural Resources section. Sharps disposal NT Sharps can be disposed at various locations in NT, including some public hospitals and select pharmacies, although may vary between local councils and areas. As a result, it’s best to contact your local council for locations and proper disposal requirements. Sharps disposal QLD There are a number of locations available to safely dispose of sharps in QLD, including public hospitals, participating pharmacies and medical centres. It is always best to contact your local centre or pharmacy to ensure they can accommodate the safe disposal of sharps. Sharps disposal SA Those living in South Australia are urged to either get in contact with local councils, or to contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Service hotline on 1300 131 340 to get more information about your nearest sharps disposal outlet, and those used in the management of diabetes. Sharps disposal TAS Please contact your local council for advice on safe disposal of sharps, including those used in the management of diabetes. Sharps disposal VIC Safe disposal outlets in VIC are available at some hospitals and medical centres, public spaces and select community centres and pharmacies. You can also contact your local council for additional information on outlets and safe disposal practices. Sharps disposal WA Sharps can be disposed at a number of locations, including some hospitals and medical centres, community centres, pharmacies and select public spaces. To ensure you’re properly disposing of sharps, it’s best to contact the local government in your area for more information. Sharps disposal services There are a number of waste management companies that offer specialised medical and sharps disposal services, allowing for the proper disposal of sharps from your place of business. If you need to organise a sharps disposal service, it’s recommended to contact your local waste management service for pricing and available services. Where can I buy a sharps container? Sharps containers are available to purchase at a variety of retailers, including pharmacies, medical supplies retailers, as well as providers such as the Diabetes Shop. Sharps containers are available in multiple sizes and capacities, generally ranging from 250ml through to 10L. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners also outlines some standards and recommendations as to how a sharps container must be placed and utilised within your place of business, allowing for the proper disposal of sharps.
