Sharps containers are commonly used across the health care industry to dispose of needles, syringes, and other materials that can pierce or cut the skin. These containers are also commonly used in the homes and workplaces of individuals who require them for disease management. While these sharp instruments are essential, they can pose a risk to others when not properly disposed of.
Between 1995 and 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calculated that 41% of all needlestick injuries occur after use, and 22% occur due to improper disposal or during the disposal process. For this reason, appropriate sharps disposal containers are essential to maintain the safety of healthcare workers, patients and others. In this guide, we will discuss sharps containers in detail, explaining what they are, how to use them and which options are available so you can make an informed decision before purchasing a product.
A sharps container is a hard plastic bin used in medical facilities to dispose of sharp medical instruments safely. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sharps disposal containers must have the following characteristics to ensure safety:
While the above sharps disposal container requirements are standard, sharps containers can be of various shapes and sizes to meet different medical facilities' needs and for prioritizing patient safety.
Using the FDA's definition, a sharp is a device with sharp points or edges. Typically, a sharp is designed to cut or puncture the skin and is used at home, at work and in medical facilities to manage medical conditions for people and pets.
Some typical examples of sharps include the following:
Sharps also include other devices that can pierce or cut the skin, including razor blades, scissors, metal wires, pins, staples and glass items. All of these devices and materials should be disposed of using a safe needle disposal container located throughout your healthcare facilities.
The next question for anyone looking into sharps disposal is where to buy a sharps container. Fortunately, there are numerous resources to turn to. You can find sharps containers through several suppliers, and the FDA offers a list of products and companies they have cleared. If you're looking for a sharps waste disposal bin for your facility, you can find a range of options through Mercedes Scientific — simply browse our catalog to explore our sharps containers for sale.
There are hundreds of types of sharps containers, which differ in various ways. One of the most significant variations is the type of lid and entry system. Some of the most common types of sharps container lids are detailed below:
Sharps containers also vary widely in design features. Some examples include the following:
When selecting the right type of safe needle disposal container for your application, be sure to consider what your unique needs are and how the features will fit those needs. To view and compare the different types of sharps containers available, browse the Mercedes Scientific catalog.
FDA-cleared sharps waste containers come in a range of sizes to meet the needs of users and facilities. Sharp bin sizes range from less than a quart to several gallons of volume. Smaller sizes are appropriate for travel and home use, and larger sizes accommodate large medical facilities' needs. For reference, a one-quart bin holds up to 500 needles or 36 insulin syringes.
To determine the size of the sharp or syringe waste container you need according to best practices, determine the answers to the following questions:
The container size you choose must have enough room to store sharps safely between container changes. It must also have a lid large enough to accommodate the largest sharps you use.
In addition to knowing the various types of sharps containers and which ones suit your applications, it is essential to know sharps container regulations and guidelines for use. Of course, needles and various other sharps should be placed in a sharps disposal container immediately after use to decrease the chance of cuts, needle sticks and other physical harms caused by loose sharps. However, it is also important to know how to manage sharps containers appropriately for maximum safety. Some guidelines are outlined below.
Sharps containers should only be used to dispose of sharp objects used for medical purposes or in a medical environment. Some examples of what can be put into sharps containers include the following:
Sharps containers are reserved for items that can puncture the skin. Some examples of what doesn't meet the disposal requirements and should not be put into a sharps container include the following:
When working in a medical facility, ensure staff are properly trained in what can and cannot be put into a sharps disposal container and where non-sharps regulated medical waste should be disposed of.
Overfilling sharps disposal containers significantly increases the risk of accidental needle-stick and cut injuries. Most sharps disposal containers come with a marked line or another indicator system that shows when the container is full. Typically, a sharps container is full when it reaches three-quarters of its capacity. Once the bin reaches this limit, it is time to follow guidelines for proper disposal.
Once a sharps container has reached two-thirds to three-quarters capacity, secure the lid to seal the container in preparation for disposal. Once this is done, write the date and any other required information on the sharps container's side. From there, the sharps container should be disposed of using local disposal guidelines and programs. States will allow up to 30 days to dispose of sharps waste correctly, though this time limit varies based on the state and region.
Sharps disposal guidelines and programs vary widely depending on the location. Below are a few common services that may be available:
Always check with local trash removal services and health departments to determine what disposal methods are available in your region.
If you cannot find a designated sharps disposal container, you can use a heavy-duty plastic household container as a substitute. The best recommendation is a liquid laundry softener or laundry detergent bottle with a lid. It must have a lid that can avoid leaks, and it should be able to sit upright without falling over. Do not use other household containers like milk jugs, water bottles, clear plastic or glass containers or soda cans, as these are prone to puncture or shatter.
If you need to use an alternative sharps disposal container, always dispose of the sharp point-first and close the container immediately afterward. If the container becomes full, seal it with duct tape and label it clearly as a sharps disposal container so it is not put in with the normal trash or recycling.
If you cannot find a sharps disposal container, or the one you have is beyond capacity, there are some temporary measures you can take if an alternative is not available:
Both of the above measures are temporary, and you should dispose of the needles and sharps in an appropriate sharps container at the earliest opportunity.
If you're looking for sharps waste containers for your facility, Mercedes Scientific has a range of options to choose from.
Based in Florida, Mercedes Scientific is dedicated to serving the laboratory, research and scientific communities with top-quality products and excellent customer service. We maintain excellent pricing for the industry while also delivering options that suit our clients' unique needs.
To learn more about sharps waste containers for sale or discover more information on our other product offerings, contact Mercedes Scientific today.