Every year, biomedical waste (potentially infectious materials such as needles, blood products, etc.) is disposed of improperly, placing sanitary workers as well as the general public at risk for contracting dangerous diseases. Needles and other medical waste may be contaminated with Hepatitis, HIV, AIDS, and other infectious diseases that can cause severe illness or even death. The Florida Legislature has passed laws to regulate the healthcare industry and any businesses that have needles to discard or produce biomedical waste.

Disposal of needles and other medical waste from private residences is currently unregulated. However, most home users of needles realize the need to dispose of them in a safe manner. The Orange County Health Department is now providing containers and disposal sites to help the private homeowner with this problem.

This program is for private individuals who give themselves or a family member shots. Health care professionals and businesses are regulated and may not participate.

This is a voluntary program for ORANGE COUNTY residents and visitors. If you have a medical condition which requires the use of injected medication, please make the extra effort to participate in this free program. Help prevent accidental needle sticks in our community. You may also be protecting yourself from liability. If you are from a nearby county, check with your local Health Department about a disposal program for your county - many counties have a program.

 How can I participate in this program?

1. If you are a first time user, you may place needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp objects into a heavy-duty plastic or metal container with a screw-on or tightly secured lid.
2. Reinforce the lid with heavy-duty tape.
3. DO NOT PUT SHARP OBJECTS IN CLEAR PLASTIC OR GLASS CONTAINERS.
4. Bring the container to the reception desk of any of our regular clinic sites during the regular business hours.
5. Never leave the sharps container unattended.
6. Obtain an approved sharps container from the attendant and some brief instructions on its use.

 Where are approved disposal sites?

You can bring properly packaged sharps to the following locations:

• Orange County Health Department, 832 W. Central Boulevard,  Orlando, Florida
  (downtown between I-4 & Orange Blossom Tr.)
• Eastside Clinic, 12050 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, Florida
  (County Service center 1 block east of Alafaya Tr)
• Lila Mitchel Center, 5151 Raleigh Street, Orlando, Florida  (East off Kirkman Rd.)
  Call  407.296.5177

The above sites are open Mon. - Fri. 8am to 4:30pm
The following clinic sites have very limited hours.  Please call for hours of operation before going to site.

• Apopka Clinic, 1111 Rock Springs Rd. Apopka, Florida (County Services Building)
  Call  407.654-1070

• Winter Garden Clinic, 1210 E Plant St.  Ste 300, Winter Garden, Florida
  Call  407.877-4320

Orange County Fire Stations will accept properly packaged sharps.
Before going to the station, call Marianne Nuckles at: 407.836.9886
to arrange the time and place of disposal.

 What else do I need to know?

This is the International BioHazard or BioMedical waste symbol. It is used on containers to indicate that the contents may be highly infectious.  

• Always keep needle boxes out of the reach of children when not in use.

• Never leave syringes lying around. Place them in a proper container immediately after use.

• NEVER place any container with the BioHazard symbol on it in the regular trash. These containers must be returned to a proper disposal site.

• Do not overfill or cram needles into your sharps container. The containers are only puncture resistant - not puncture proof.

  Some terms to know 

• Approved sharps container - A single or multi-use container designed primarily for the containment of sharps and meeting certain requirements of the law.

• Sharps - Devices which are capable of puncturing, lacerating or otherwise penetrating the skin. Examples include (but are not limited to) needles, needles attached to disposable syringes and lancets.

• Lancets - Medical devices used to test blood sugar level.

   If you have any questions about this subject call
  Orange County Health Dept.
  407 / 836-2550 Environmental Health
   

  Are there any alternatives?

• Your physician or other health care professional may accept your home generated sharps or may know of another program for disposal of your sharps.

• Your local U.S. Post Office may be able provide a list of approved needle mail-in disposal services.

• Your pharmacist may be able to provide special treatment containers for disposing of your needles and other sharps.

If none of the above options are available and you are not able to use any of the suggestions in this brochure, you may dispose of your needles and other medical waste in the regular garbage 
if you will follow these guidelines.

For Sharps:

1. Place needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp objects into a heavy plastic or metal container with a secure lid.

2. Secure the lid with heavy tape.

3. Place container in the center of a regular bag of garbage.

4. Tie garbage bag securely.

5. Don't overfill containers.

6. Dispose of them as frequently as possible - don't accumulate large quantities.

For Non-Sharps:

1. Place soiled bandages, disposable sheets, medical gloves, and other contaminated non-sharp material into a plastic bag.

2. Secure the top of the bag.

3. Place in garbage with other trash.

4. Double bag heavy, wet waste.