Some people mistakenly believe they can dispose of their sharps in other safe ways without having to use an approved sharps disposal container. This misconception can create a health hazard, along with many other potential problems. Before you consider using an alternative method of disposal, make sure you consider these important reasons to handle it the right way.
A Biohazard to the Public
Used sharps create a biohazard to anyone who may come into contact with them. If you simply throw them in your trash, you could be putting a lot of unsuspecting people at risk. If anyone is pricked by your used needles, they can become seriously ill. The best thing you can do is use an approved sharps disposal container to keep the biohazards away from the general public.
Landfill Issues
Everything you throw away in your regular trash will end up in the landfill at some point in the future. Even if you package your sharps in a way you think is safe, the needles can still make their way out of the packaging and into the rest of the trash. Depending on what the sharps are exposed to in your medications or your blood, this can create a hazard in the surrounding environment. In addition, sometimes people search through landfills for items, putting them at risk for pokes.
No Way to Separate
Medical biohazard sharps must be separated from your regular trash. If you mix it in, there is no way anyone else will be able to safely and efficiently separate the biohazards from the regular trash. Medical staff is well trained to tell the difference. Unfortunately, once the sharps are placed in your regular trash, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to separate them out, even for you.
Taking proper care of your sharps will keep everyone safe and secure. Using a sharps disposal container protects more than just the people who live and visit in your home. These containers also ensure no one else becomes exposed to your used needles. Throwing them in your regular trash will put a lot of people at risk. The goal is to keep everyone safe. Hospitals, dental offices and other medical facilities use these containers. There’s no reason you can’t find a quality company to provide you with the sharps containers you need to keep everyone safe in your own home.
