Safe disposal of 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, continuous glucose monitors, finger prickers (lancets) and needles used to administer insulin. For the health and safety of the community it is important to keep sharps out of our waste and recycling systems. Most garbage or recycling facilities have people sorting garbage by hand. Safe disposal of sharps reduces the risk of harm to others and the environment. What are sharps and how do I dispose of them safely? Always make sure your sharps are secured and disposed of in a strong plastic container. Use either: An Australian Standard Sharps container A puncture-resistant plastic container with a screw top There are safe and accessible options to dispose of your sharps in your local community including: Public hospitals Participating pharmacies Community sharps disposal bins. Sharps disposal – What, Where and How NSW Community Sharps brochure View or download the NSW Community Sharps brochure or NSW Community Sharps flyer for information about sharps disposal in NSW. Information on the disposal of sharps is also available in the following languages: Europe: Greek, Italian, Turkish Indian sub-continent: Bengali, Nepali, Tamil Middle East: Arabic, Dari, Farsi Asia: Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Vietnamese, Korean, Thai Health professionals can bulk order copies (max 50) of the leaflet printed in English, ATSI or in various languages via email [email protected] or by calling our contact centre on 1800 177 055. Community sharps disposal facilities Locate your nearest community sharps disposal facility. Sharps containers For sharps disposal containers and other related products then visit Australia’s largest online store for all your diabetes essentials. diabetesshop.com Your feedback is important to us Share your feedback and complete the survey online. Take our survey Local Council information New South Wales – Find out how your council supports the safe disposal of sharps. NSW Health – Resources by Councils ACT (Canberra and surrounding region) sharps disposable locations – There are safe and accessible options to dispose of your sharps in your local community: Single sharps – Transport Canberra and City Services provide sharps disposal containers in all public toilets in urban open space. Bulk Disposal – Sharps containers used by diabetics and other medical syringe users can be dropped off at the following locations: Belconnen Health centre – Lathlain St, Belconnen City Health Centre – Cnr Alinga and Moore Streets, Canberra City Gungahlin Health centre – Ernst Cavanagh Street, Gungahlin Phillip Health Centre – Cnr Keltie and Corinna Streets, Woden Tuggeranong Health centre – Cnr Anketell and Pitman Street, Tuggeranong Emergency Disposal (domestic only) – Sharps containers used by people living with diabetes and other medical syringe users can be dropped off at the following locations: Gungahlin Recycling Drop Off Centre – O’Brien Place, Gungahlin Tuggeranong Recycling Drop Off Centre – Scollay Street, Tuggeranong Mitchell recycling drop-off centre – Baillieu Court, Mitchell Belconnen recycling drop-off centre – Jolly Street, Belconnen Phillip recycling drop-off centre – Botany Court, Phillip Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre, Mugga Lane, Symonston Mitchell Resource Management Centre, Flemington Road, Mitchell Please note: there are NO sharps disposal facilities at the West Belconnen recycling drop-off centres. Full details for ACT (Canberra and surrounding region) can be found here. Find out more Download information about community sharps disposal for ACT and surrounding regions Additional information about NSW community sharps management NSW Needle Clean Up Hotline Local Health districts network The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (NSW Branch) Contact us To get in touch email [email protected] or call Diabetes Australia on 1800 177 055 for further information.
