Many people rely on using needles and syringes to maintain their own health, or that of a family member.

Injecting equipment is also used by pet and livestock owners for animal healthcare.

There are specific management requirements for sharps waste to minimise the risk of harm to the environment and human health.

Sharps items should always be kept separate from other wastes because of the possible risk of injury to workers. The correct disposal of sharps is important for the whole community. They should never be disposed of:

• in public litter bins
• by flushing down toilets or drains
• in household waste or recycling bins (plastic syringes are NOT recyclable)
• by discarding into the environment.

Council facilitates a free and safe disposal service for diabetic needles, lancets (finger prickers), pen needles and sharps, including those used for pet and livestock, via various drop-off locations throughout Eurobodalla Shire.

Safe disposal of sharps at home

Below are some practical suggestions for handling sharps in the home:

• Use a sharps container or other appropriate puncture-resistant container (not glass) and ensure that the lid is secure. You can purchase special medical sharps containers from selected pharmacies.
• Store the container out of reach of children.
• When the container is full, dispose of it at one of the sharps disposal locations listed below.

Where can I take sharps for disposal?

Disposal locations - sharps used for people

Sharps items can be placed free of charge into one of the Community Health sharps disposal bins located at:

• Batemans Bay Community Health Centre - 7 Pacific Street, Batemans Bay
• Moruya Community Health Centre - 2 River Street, Moruya
• Narooma Community Health - 14-28 Graham Street, Narooma.

You can contact Community Health on:

• T: 02 4474 1561.

Sharps are also accepted at Council's annual household chemical clean out collection. Items can be taken to collection points at Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma, free of charge.

You could also contact your nearest pharmacy to enquire whether they accept sharps for disposal.

Disposal locations - sharps used for pets and livestock

Sharps items are accepted at Council's annual household chemical clean out collection. Items can be taken to collection points at Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma, free of charge.

You can also contact your local vet or produce and rural supplier to see if they will accept sharps.

Reporting discarded sharps waste

If you find a needle or syringe in a public place, contact the NSW Needle Clean Up Hotline to have the items safely removed on:

• T: 1800 633 353
• W: NSW Needle Clean Up Hotline.

Most importantly, do not attempt to pick up the needle or syringe.

More information

• NSW Health: NSW Needle and Syringe Program outlets - find a sharps disposal point near you
• NSW Health: Community sharps disposal options in NSW
• NSW Health: Community sharps management.

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