Biomedical waste must be disposed of according to federal, state, and local regulations. Used needles and other contaminated sharps must be placed in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container that is closable.
Sharps Disposal Program
The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County (DOH-St. Lucie) facilitates a Sharps Disposal Program for residential clients. Home-generated used needles, such as syringes with attached needles and disposable lancets, can be disposed of using an
- $5 disposal fee, per container (1 gallon or smaller)
- Multiple or large containers may be charged additional fees
- Residents will receive a new replacement sharps disposal container
Improper disposal can cause problems ranging from placing other residents and waste management workers at health risk, to clogging lift stations when disposed in the sewer system. Sharps can transmit hepatitis, AIDS, and other fluid-borne pathogens.
Sharps Container Pickup/Disposal Location
DOH-St. Lucie
Gwenda Thompson Trades Career Center
3855 S US 1 Hwy, Suite A
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed noon – 1 p.m.)
As the health care industry moves toward increasing the number of procedures patients can do at home, such as self-administered insulin, the safe disposal of used sharps is a public health concern.