Safe Disposal of Medical Waste

Medical waste includes medical supplies that may be soiled with blood or other bodily fluids and medication that has expired or will not be used. Improperly discarded medical waste, especially needles, increases the risk of spreading blood-borne diseases. Improperly disposed medicines can contaminate drinking water.

Populations at Risk

• People who give injections to themselves or others;
• Healthcare workers;
• Sanitation workers.

What you should do

Safe Disposal of Sharps (needles, syringes, lancets)

• Put sharps into a sharps container immediately after using them. (Syringes with attached needles should be disposed of with the needle still attached. Do not try to remove, bend, break, or recap the needle.)
• If you do not have a sharps container, put items in a puncture-proof plastic container and tape the lid closed.
• Put the sealed container in the regular trash. Never put medical waste or containers of medical waste in the recycle bin.

Safe Disposal of Soiled or Bloody Items

• Put items in a sealed, leak-proof plastic bag.
• Put bags in the regular trash. (Use trash barrels with tight lids wo avoid attracting animals.)

Safe Disposal of Unused or Expired Medications

• Take the medicine (prescription or over-the-counter) out of its original container.
• Crush tablets or pills. Liquids, gels, ointments, or creams can be mixed with cat litter or used coffee grounds.
• Put the medicine into a disposable container with a lid or into a sealable plastic bag.
• Conceal or remove any personal information (including prescription number) on empty prescription bottles. (Cover information with black permanent marker or Duct tape or peel label off.)
• Put the sealed contained or bag and the empty medicine bottles in the regular trash.

Safe Disposal of Chemotherapy Waste

For disposal of chemotherapy or other household hazardous waste, contact Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.