It's crucial not to throw away needles in your regular trash or recycling because it's a hazard to others. Here's how to safely get rid of needles from your weight loss medication.
3 steps for safe disposal:
- Get a sharps disposal container: These containers are made to safely dispose of needles. They are sold at most drugstores, medical supply shops, and online. Only buy containers that are FDA-approved to ensure they're safe and effective.
- Directly dispose of needles into the container: Avoid recapping, bending, or cleaning needles with disinfectant. Follow the container's instructions. Be sure to avoid filling the container more than 75%.
- Properly dispose of the full container: Your local area will have specific rules for disposing of these containers. This might mean taking it to a special drop-off point at a pharmacy or healthcare facility, mailing it back to a disposal program, or bringing it to a community hazardous waste event.
Additional advice:
- Keep the container where kids and pets can't get to it.
- Use a smaller, travel-sized container for disposing of needles when you're on the go.
- Proper needle disposal is key for your safety, the safety of others, and the environment. If you're unsure about something, ask your healthcare provider or local waste management services.
These steps help ensure needles are disposed of safely, minimizing risk to you and your community.