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 freeUpdated Jul 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.
- Recyclable
- Not curbside
- 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 don't have an FDA-cleared container, FDA says a heavy-duty container like a laundry detergent bottle can work as a temporary substitute