Sharps Disposal

Why do I need a sharps bin?

You need to dispose of your used needles, syringes and lancets in a sharps bin as they can injure people and carry infections.

Sharps Bins

Small bins are pre-assembled and are available in a variety sizes. From small 0.6 litre, 2.5 litre, 3.75 litre, to the larger 7 litre and our biggest 22 litre sharps disposal containers or bins.  All bins come with a lid that must be attached securely before using the bin. Please ask your nurse or doctor to assemble the bin for you and complete the label with your name and date.

Procedure

Always wash hands after removing gloves. Do not recap, bend or break discarded sharps. To pick up the needle or syringe, place a sharps container beside the “sharp” that requires collecting and pick up the item by using tongs or pliers and place in the container. Do not hold the container with your free hand.

DO

• only use this sharps bin to get rid of your needles,syringes and lancets.
• keep sharps bins in a safe place and out of reach of children.
• store sharps bins in a cupboard and keep away from food.
• use the temporary closure on the lid after each use, as this prevents the contents spilling when not in use.
• close the lid of the bin as instructed once the container is filled to the dotted black line or,that you don't need any more. This means it is locked.
• make sure that your name and date is written on label of the locked bin.

DON'T

• put your used needles, syringes and lancets in any other container such as drinks can or used plastic food containers.
• put any other waste in the sharps bin. It is only designed to take needles, syringes and lancets.
• put the sharps bin out with your household waste.
• try to remove a needle or lancet from the sharps bin.
• force sharps into a full bin by pushing down with your hands.
• fill the container past the dotted black fill line.
  

When the sharps bin reaches the dotted black line:

1. Lock: Close the opening to permanent closure until you hear a click or see a red button appear through the lid.
2. Complete Label: Your name and clinic or health centre, name assembled by and date & also name locked by and date.

Only return clean, locked bins – no blood splashes.

Complete the label before giving to your nurse or doctor. They will make sure that the sharps bin is:

• properly assembled
• l closed
• l labelled correctly and clean
  

Where do I get rid of my sharps bin?

Please ask your nurse or doctor where and when to dispose of your sharps bin safely. Please give your closed sharps bin to a member of staff for disposal

Purpose

For the health and safety of the community it is important to keep sharps out of our waste and recycling systems. Most rubbish/garbage or recycling facilities have people sorting garbage by hand. Safe disposal of sharps reduces the risk of harm to others and the environment.

Need more help? Whether you are a home user, GP doctor, medical centre, surgery, first responders, fire service, ambulance service, occupational health department or a nursing home, you can give our team a call on 01 5079901 or email sales@hayesfirstaid.com to discuss your needs and get a quote. Irish owned and based, shipping nationwide throughout Ireland.