How To Render a Needle Non-Infectious for Disposal in Trash

Individuals who need to take care of themselves in their home using needles for a variety of treatments, ranging from diabetes to keeping HIV under control, often find themselves looking for ways to safely dispose of their needles in the trash. In order to render a needle non-infectious for disposal in the trash, you'll first need to disinfect the needle and then you'll need to make sure that you dispose of it in a safe manner.

Things You'll Need

• Sturdy plastic container
• Disposable rubber gloves
• Needle clippers (or toenail clippers)
• Bleach or disinfectant solution
• Large vessel
• Duct tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Put on disposable rubber gloves.

• 2

  Place the needle in a vessel which contains a solution of either undiluted bleach or a germicidal disinfectant, following the dilution directions carefully.

• 3

  Soak the needle for a period of at least 15 minutes if you are using the bleach. Follow the soaking directions if you are using a germicidal disinfectant.

• 4

  Remove the needle from the solution. Do not rinse off.

• 5

  Using the needle clippers (or the toenail clippers), clip the end of the needle.

• 6

  Place both needle and syringe in the plastic container.

• 7

  Remove the rubber gloves and place them in the container.

• 8

  Seal the lid with duct tape.

• 9

  Firmly affix a label to the container. List the contents of the container and place a warning on the container.