A-Z disposal guide

Including, but not limited to: needles, epipens, glucose sensors, blades etc. 

This CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Used sharps must be disposed of in a strong puncture proof container, or a strong plastic container or bottle, which has a secure lid.

Visit Sharps & syringes – disposal and pickup for local disposal options.

Clinical waste such as needles and sharps, human waste tissue, animal waste and waste from dental, medical or veterinary treatments have the potential to cause disease and must not go in the rubbish or recycling bin.

Contact your local hospital or health care provider for more information.

Household medical waste such as band-aids, bandages, contact lens and cotton buds can be disposed on in the household general waste bin.

Other medical waste, such as expired medicines can be taken to your local chemist for disposal.

DO NOT place these items in your household bins or down the drain.

Take to any pharmacy for FREE, appropriate disposal as part of the RUM project (Return Unwanted Medicines). 

‘Unwanted medicines’ include:

• Prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal or complementary supplements, gels, liquids, or topical creams.
• Any medicines that you might have had for your pets can also be returned to the pharmacy to be disposed in the RUM bin.
• All packaging (boxes, inserts) should be disposed of separately. You do not need to take the tablets out of the foil strips.

NOTE: Sharps or needles cannot be put in RUM bins.

Contact a scrap metal recycler.

Safe disposal is essential to prevent possible injury. Place any sharp items in a bag or container prior to taking it to a metal recycler.