Diabetes - Getting started - Taking Control
 
HOME | CONTENTS


Self Blood Glucose Monitoring

Sharps Disposal

Sharps require special handling, storage and disposal procedures.

How do I get rid of my Diabetes syringes, needles and lancets?

Why should I use a sharps container?

The reason you should use an approved sharps container, is to protect yourself and others from injury or spread of infectious disease to others.

Sharps containers can be purchased at a pharmacy. You can also place sharps into a rigid and thick plastic container with a lid that you can screw on to seal e.g. shampoo bottle.

What is the correct way to dispose of sharps?

Place all needles directly into the sharps container. Always dispose of syringe with the needle facing downwards.

Do not overfill sharps containers. Never reopen closed sharps containers.
Never place medical sharps in the rubbish bin.

How do I dispose of my sharps container?

Sharps bins are provided by Mackay City Council. They are located in the car park at Healthpoint Pharmacy, Sydney Street and in the car park of AFS Friendly Care Pharmacy on Nebo Rd. There are also bins provided by Queensland Health at the Mackay Base Hospital and at the QLD Health Community Health Building in Wellington Street.

In the Proserpine area, the Proserpine Hospital has a sharps disposal bin at the Emergency entrance for all size containers. There is also a sharps disposal bin at Whitsunday Community Health, Cannonvale for up to 1.4L containers only.

Tightly close the lid of the medical sharp container when not in use. Keep medical sharp container out of the reach of children and animals. Wash your hands after handling medical waste.