Guides / Disposing of needles safely in Australia
Disposing of needles safely in Australia
2 min read
In short: Put used needles and syringes straight into a proper sharps container, never into household rubbish or recycling. When it's full, take it to a sharps disposal point. Your state health department or local council lists the drop-off points near you.
Every time
- Put the used needle and syringe straight into a sharps container.
- Don't recap, bend or snap needles.
- Never put sharps in household rubbish, recycling bins or the toilet.
- Keep the container out of reach of children and pets.
Getting a sharps container
Approved containers are yellow, rigid and puncture-resistant, with the biohazard symbol. They're available from pharmacies and needle and syringe programs. In an emergency, a thick plastic bottle with a screw lid can be used temporarily. Label it "sharps" and swap to a proper container as soon as you can.
When it's full
Close and seal it at about three-quarters full. Drop-off options depend on where you live, and may include:
- Public sharps disposal bins in community locations
- Some pharmacies and hospitals
- Needle and syringe program outlets
- Council collection services
Find your nearest drop-off point
| State or territory | Where to look |
|---|---|
| NSW | NSW Health, or your local council |
| VIC | Victorian Department of Health, or your local council |
| QLD | Queensland Health, or your local council |
| WA | WA Health, or your local council |
| SA | SA Health, or your local council |
| TAS | Tasmanian Department of Health, or your local council |
| ACT | ACT Health |
| NT | NT Health, or your local council |
Search "sharps disposal" with your suburb or council name. Ask your pharmacy first, as many will point you to the closest option.
If someone is hurt by a used needle
Wash the area with soap and water, don't squeeze it, and see a doctor or go to an emergency department the same day.
Keep reading
Injection sites and why rotation matters
2 min read
Storing peptides: fridge, handling and travel
2 min read
General information, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions and your healthcare professional.