Medical & Pharmaceuticals recycling
How to Recycle Sharps (Needles & Syringes)
Needles, syringes, lancets, and auto-injectors used for home injections and blood testing. FDA and EPA guidance both say sharps must go into a rigid, puncture-resistant container, never loose into household trash or recycling.
Special handlingCommunity drop-off is usually free; mail-back kits typically cost money unless your pharmacy provides them freeLast reviewed August 28, 2026
Quick answer
Never put loose needles, syringes, or lancets in the trash, recycling, or toilet. Drop used sharps into an FDA-cleared sharps container right after use, then take the full container to a drop-off site, a hazardous-waste collection, or a mail-back program where available. Use safeneedledisposal.org to find options near you.
- Recycling route
- Special handling
- Typical value
- Community drop-off is usually free; mail-back kits typically cost money unless your pharmacy provides them free
How to Prepare
- 1Drop the needle or syringe into an FDA-cleared sharps container immediately after use; don't recap or bend it first
- 2If you do not have an FDA-cleared container, use a heavy-duty plastic container that is stable while upright, leak-resistant, has a tight puncture-resistant lid, and is labeled as containing sharps