Sharps Disposal

“Sharps” include hypodermic needles, syringes, lancets (finger stick devices), and other sharp medical instruments.

Both Wisconsin Statutes and Racine Ordinances make it illegal to discard used needles, syringes, and lancets with household solid waste or recyclable materials. Unsafe disposal can result in substantial financial penalties, as well as serious disease through accidental needle sticks to workers handling these waste materials.

“Sharps” should not be placed with your solid waste or recyclable materials. Special red colored “biohazard” containers should be used to hold used sharps. These containers are available at most pharmacies where medical supplies are sold.

Most independently owned pharmacies in the Racine area offer a sharps disposal program that allows you to return your filled container.  Be sure to ask your pharmacist. Some chain pharmacies do not offer a disposal program; if yours doesn’t, tell them that you would like a program started at their location.

See our list of Racine Sharps Disposal.

Information from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources about household medical sharps disposal, including a list of collection locations.