Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
People with diabetes use sharps all the time, including needles, pens, lancets, pumps, and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
Immediately place used needles in a sharps disposal container to prevent accidental injuries or infections.
Throw out home or travel sharps containers when they’re three-quarters full, and follow your community guidelines to learn how disposal works in your area.
Used syringes and needles for insulin can cause great harm when not thrown away properly. Yet, only about one-third of people who use sharps have ever received instructions on how to get rid of them. (1)
If you have diabetes, you’re likely using sharps every day. Learning how to dispose of syringes and needles for insulin properly will keep others safe, including family and pets, garbage collectors, and community members. This article will teach you the basics.
Why Does Safe Needle Disposal Matter?
Used syringes and needles for insulin and other sharps are dangerous to others. If stored improperly, they can cause needle-stick injuries, which may expose people and pets to infections and serious illness. These include: (2)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
What’s Considered a Sharp?
A sharp is any needle and syringe used to inject medication. If it sticks into your skin, it’s a sharp. In many diabetes kits, these include: (2)
Insulin or GLP-1 syringes and needles
Auto injectors, like pen insulin needles
Lancets, or fingersticks for monitoring blood sugar
Infusion sets, like diabetic insulin pumps
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)
BD Embecta Nano Ultra Fine Pen Needles - 32G 4mm - BX 90 (formerly BD)
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The Nano Ultra-Fine Pen Needles 4mm 32G are part of the Ultra-Fine family of Embecta pen needles, manufactured by BD, to fit all diabetes pens and dosers available commercially in the United States. No need to worry about attaching the… read more
Federal Guidelines: Getting Rid of Sharps
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends two steps to safely dispose of your used syringes and needles for insulin.
1. Place Sharps in a Disposal Container
Immediately after you use your insulin syringe, pen, or other sharp, place it in a dedicated sharps disposal container. These strong plastic containers are specifically made with small openings to prevent spills or needle-stick injuries. You can get these here at Total Diabetes Supply. Never throw loose needles in the trash — securing a syringe needle cap isn’t enough.
BD Nestable Sharps Container, 1.5 qt
$ 10.60
$ 12.86
BD home sharps containers are multi-use, one-piece sharps containers that are designed with red base and natural top with dual access to easily remove needle from syringes and blood collection devices. The clear or natural top provides a clear view… read more
When you’re giving your shot, keep the container close by for quick disposal. When you’re ready to store it away, keep it out of reach of children and pets. (3)
2. Get Rid of Your Sharps Disposal Container
Plan to get rid of your container when it’s about three-quarters full rather than waiting. Don’t overfill your container. When it overflows, it increases the risk of accidental contact.
When you get rid of your container, throw it out entirely and use a new one. Do not reuse it. To prep the container for safe disposal, most communities recommend the following steps:
Securing the lid
Sealing it with duct tape
Removing any of your information (name, address)
Check your community guidelines to see where you can throw out your sharps disposal container at safeneedledisposal.org. Some states allow you to throw the container in the trash (never recycling), but many waste services won’t handle sharps. It’s better to check for safer options. Your local waste service or health department should have rules and resources. Some may have drop boxes, collection sites, or pick-up services. (2,3)
What If I’m Not Home?
If you may need to use sharps when you’re not home, like at work or school, there’s no guarantee public restrooms will have a sharps disposal container. Plan ahead by carrying a small, travel-size disposal container with you. These containers are about the size of your hand and can be placed in a purse or backpack. Dispose of them the same way as a regular disposal container.
If you’re traveling, check the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for current rules about storing and disposing of sharps. Usually, unused syringes and needles are allowed if they’re with the injectable medication. Used syringes and needles are also allowed if they’re in a dedicated sharps disposal container. You should always declare the items at the checkpoint so TSA officers can inspect them. (5,6)
What To Do If Stuck By a Used Needle
You may come across public sharps disposal containers with other people’s syringes and needles for insulin in them. When you dispose of your needle, make sure it’s not overly full, and use the right opening to avoid getting stuck. Don’t try to open it or reach in to make more room for your own sharps.
If you’re stuck by someone else’s used needle, wash the area right away with soap and water. You can also use another disinfectant, like rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, if needed. Then, go to your local urgent care or hospital for immediate care. (2)
Bottom Line
Safe sharps disposal is a matter of personal, household, and community health. Never throw away loose sharps, including longer syringe needles and shorter needles found on CGMs. Instead, throw them away in sharps containers and check local guidelines on where to dispose of the container. If you use sharps away from home, always carry a travel disposal container just in case public containers aren’t available.
If you or someone else gets stuck by a used needle, contact a doctor immediately to get treatment.
References
Thompson, B. M., & Cook, C. B. (2021, December 1). Unsafe Sharps Disposal Among Insulin-Using Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: An Emerging Global Crisis. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 16(6), 1376. https://doi.org/10.1177/19322968211059851
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021, November 19). Safely using sharps (needles and syringes) at home, at work and on travel. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023, August 10). Best way to get rid of used needles and other sharps. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel/best-way-get-rid-used-needles-and-other-sharps
Safe Needle Disposal. (n.d.). Home. NeedyMeds. https://safeneedledisposal.org/
Transportation Security Administration. (2017, November 16). Unused syringes. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/unused-syringes
Transportation Security Administration. (2017, November 16). Used syringes. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/used-syringes
Nationwide Children's Hospital. (2025). Sharps containers at home. https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/sharps-containers-at-home
FAQs
Can I take a sharps bin to the pharmacy?
Some pharmacies may have drop-off points where you can throw away your sharps container, but not all. Check your local resources and ask your nearby pharmacy if they offer disposal services.
How do I throw away my GLP-1 medication?
GLP-1s often come in auto injectors or pens, which are considered sharps. Dispose of them in a sharps container the same way you dispose of any sharp.
Can I make my own sharps container?
If you don’t have a container at home, you can make your own, but it must be made of heavy-duty plastic. Laundry detergent bottles are one of the best options as long as it screws shut, is leak-proof, and sits upright on its own. Thinner plastic bottles, like water bottles, are too thin. Needles may poke through them. (7)
What’s the golden rule of sharps disposal?
The number one rule is to never throw away loose sharps. This includes needles on syringes and less-obvious pens (even if they have an injection needle cap).
