Sharps Disposal

Bin size should be chosen based on the footfall and usage of each premises.

Sharps bins should contain: hypodermic needles, syringes with needles attached, lancets, scalpels and blades, stitch cutters, and other sharps that have been in contact with blood or body fluids. They should not contain: glass ampoules (dispose as clinical waste), non-contaminated sharps, or non-sharp clinical waste. For mixed pharmaceutical and sharps waste (e.g. pre-filled syringes), use a yellow-lid, yellow-body container rather than a standard sharps bin.

When the sharps bin reaches the fill line (typically two-thirds capacity), activate the temporary closure to prevent items falling out during handling. Complete the label on the bin with the date of closure, the name of the clinical setting or ward, and any reference required by your waste contractor. Activate the final permanent closure lock, this prevents the bin being reopened. Store in a secure, locked area away from unauthorised access until collection.

No. UN-approved sharps bins are single-use only. Once sealed, they are not opened, emptied, or reused. The contents, and the container, are disposed of together by incineration. Attempting to reuse a sharps bin or empty its contents is dangerous and non-compliant. If bins are provided through a managed clinical waste contract, they are typically supplied as single-use items included in the collection service.

Collection frequency should be determined by fill rate, not a fixed schedule. A bin that reaches the fill line before its scheduled collection date should be sealed and set aside for emergency or unscheduled collection rather than overfilled. In busy clinical settings, weekly collection is typical. In lower-volume settings, monthly collection may be sufficient. Never allow sharps bins to be overfilled waiting for a scheduled collection.

You should always follow your organisation's sharps injury protocol.

The regulatory standard (BS7320, UN3291) applies to all sharps bins.

Home sharps users (insulin injectors, those on injectable medication) should use a yellow sharps bin obtained from their GP or community pharmacy. When full, seal the bin and contact your local authority or clinical waste provider for collection. Many local authorities operate collection schemes for home sharps users at designated drop-off points or through a home collection service. Do not put sharps in household recycling or general refuse bins.