What to Do with Used Sharps in Oregon
Step 1 — Put used sharps in a strong, plastic container that is red
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Step 2 — You can also use the Transfer Station Locations on this page to find container disposal options near you.
When it comes to getting rid of your sealed container of used sharps, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued the following guidelines for disposal.
Step 3 — Never throw used sharps - loose or in a plastic container - into the trash or toilet, and never recycle
Sharps that retract after use, or are very small, should be disposed of like all other sharps.
Most counties in Oregon have disposal programs. If your area does not have a program, contact your local waste hauler or health department. Call the program to confirm if there are any container requirements, disposal fees or residency restrictions. Click here for information on pharmaceutical company mail-back programs.
Transfer Station Locations
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State Guidelines for Oregon
The state of Oregon passed the infectious waste law on July 1, 1990 and applies to all generators of infectious waste. Per ORS 459.390 (3) and 459.395 (4), sharps shall be contained for storage, collection, transportation and disposal in leakproof, rigid, puncture-resistant red containers that are taped closed or tightly lidded to prevent loss of the contents. Sharps may be disposed of in a permitted land disposal site only if the sharps are in containers as required in ORS 459.390 (3) and are placed in a segregated area of the landfill.
State Data Last Modified: 10/02/2024
Data source: SafeNeedleDisposal.org