Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to dispose of sharps correctly?
Contaminated sharps can spread infections that can cause serious health issues if not disposed of safely. Stericycle recommends collecting sharps materials in FDA compliant leak-proof, puncture-resistant containers and manage transportation and disposal through a properly permitted vendor.
What is a sharps container?
A sharps container has been specifically designed to safely and compliantly hold discarded sharps material. Stericycle sharps containers have received 510k market clearance by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class II non-critical medical device and good manufacturing practice (GMP) is following during manufacturing. Stericycle’s reusable sharps containers also meet Department of Transportation (DOT) standards that require sharps container to have a leak-proof bottom and sides for transport.
What goes in a sharps container?
The following items should be placed in a sharps container: needles, syringes, scalpels, contaminated and/or broken glass, broken capillary tubes, broken rigid plastic, lancets, and needle counters.
Items that should not be disposed of in a sharps container include: tape, paper, bandages/gauze, exam gloves, alcohol preps, liquids, batteries, hazardous waste, and pharmaceutical waste.
Where can I get a sharps container?
You can obtain a sharps container from Stericycle – we’d be pleased to help you. Contact us via the phone number on this webpage or by filling out the “Request Free Quote” button on the top right of this webpage.
How do you treat and dispose of sharps containers?
Sharps containers are treated to kill pathogens, bacteria and other infection-causing agents. Single use sharps containers should be processed through a treatment method, such as autoclaving and would then be sent to landfill for disposal. Reusable sharps container contents can be emptied to be treated and disposed of, and the sharps container itself should be decontaminated to be prepared for re-use. Please contact Stericycle for support in properly disposing of sharps containers.