Waste and recycling collection is in the Top 9 Most Dangerous Jobs in the United States!?
Every day our employees are not only exposed to the hazards of working on roads in congested Metropolitan cities, but also to the small percentage of our customers' medical waste that is improperly placed into trash bags. As you may already be aware, needles and syringes placed into standard plastic trash bags, increases our employees' risk of being exposed to dangerous blood-borne diseases, (like HIV or Hepatitis B/C) if they were to be stuck with the disposed material.
We are frequently asked by our customers, 'what is the proper procedure for disposal of needles, syringes, leftover medications and pill bottles?' The following information will ensure the safety of our employees, protect them from getting injured on the job, while also keeping in mind the toll that medical waste takes on our environment.
Drop-Off Collection Points
Various local pharmacies, doctors' offices, hospitals, health clinics or many community organizations provide convenient drop-off points for proper disposal of household medical waste. These can be used for the collection of needles or syringes, as well as leftover or outdated medications. Ask your health care provider for their suggestion for the best method of disposal for your particular prescription.
Household Hazardous Waste Centers
Many facilities, such as your local landfill, already have a special designated area for the collection of household hazardous waste, which includes paint, oil or batteries. Check with these hazardous waste centers in your area to see if medical waste is included in their program.
Mail-back Programs
There are several companies that provide containers for at-home collection that can then be mailed back for proper disposal. These can be used for the collection of needles/syringes, but many will also accept leftover pill medications that can be very hazardous when simply thrown in with your trash. These toxic chemicals can leak into our waterways causing harm to marine-life. For more information on needle disposal, visit:
Curbside Disposal
As a last resort, American Disposal Services will accept medical waste that has been placed into a thick, hard, impenetrable plastic bottle with a secure lid (example: detergent bottle). This bottle MUST be placed in with your trash, not with recycling. Remember, Needles/syringes or any sharp items should never be left exposed in a plastic or paper bag as they could severely injure or infect our employees.
Recycling Pill Bottles
Plastic bottles (and caps) that contain pills or various medications ARE recyclable! Simply rinse out any residue, tear off of the label containing personal information, and toss in with your recyclables.
