When you use needles in your business, it’s up to you to provide safe needle disposal. Although there are federal guidelines for disposing of needles and lancets, otherwise known as sharps, each state differs in its requirements for how businesses need to dispose of sharps. One main requirement is that sharps are disposed of in a manner that prevents any danger to public safety. Whether you operate a medi-spa or have a private medical practice, there are different options for disposing of needles in a way that protects public safety and the environment.
Pharmacies as a Provider of Safe Disposal Containers
You may be able to work a deal out with a local pharmacy to get the disposal containers that you need. This is ideal if you run a small business and don’t go through a lot of needles. A medi-spa is a good example of a business that may need monthly or bi-monthly disposal rather than weekly disposal. It can be expensive to open a contract with a disposal service, and most small businesses don’t have the money to work with large disposal firms. Not every pharmacy offers safe needle disposal options, so you may have to choose a different option.
Needle Waste Drop Off Centers
Some places offer drop off options for businesses that use sharps. Your business uses an approved disposal container and then drops it off at an approved medical waste facility. You can usually pick up new disposal containers at the drop off center, or you can pick up containers elsewhere and use the drop off center for disposal. Depending on the area that you live, there may even be a delivery and pickup service where a courier schedules a drop off and pick up schedule for your containers. This is convenient for busy professionals who struggle to make time to get to the drop off center.
Mail Back Programs
A great option for safe needle disposal is a mail back program. This type of program allows you to order the disposal receptacles that you need for your business and then mailing them back to the company for legal, safe disposal. All of the necessary forms and packaging that you need to mail the containers is provided, and all you have to do is schedule mail pickup with your regular mail carrier. Using this type of program keeps you from having to find a drop off center or negotiate a deal with your pharmacy.
