Disposal Recommendations for Residential Sharps & Pharmaceutical Waste

You can prevent injury and illness by following some simple steps when disposing of residential or home health care sharps and pharmaceuticals.

Sharps:

All needles, syringes, lancets and other sharp objects should be placed in a puncture resistant container (coffee can, liquid detergent or bleach bottle) with a label noting the container holds sharps, needles, etc. DO NOT FLUSH SHARPS DOWN TOILETS. Once secured in a container, sharps can be disposed, free of charge, at the Household Hazardous Waste area at any of these disposal sites:

Valley Transfer Station - 3941 N. Sullivan Road
Waste to Energy Facility - 2900 S. Geiger Blvd
North County Transfer Station - 22123 Elk-Chattaroy Road

Residents served by the City of Spokane and Empire Disposal may secure sharps in a puncture proof container, label it and place in residential garbage cans for curbside pickup. Never place sharps containers in recycling bins.

Residents served by Newman Lake Garbage, Sunshine Recycling & Disposal and Waste Management are prohibited from putting any sharps in garbage cans or recycling bins. Contact your garbage hauler for disposal options.

Visit the Center for Disease Control website for additional information on safe community needle disposal.

Pharmaceuticals:

DO NOT flush over the counter medications or pharmaceuticals down toilets or pour down drains. Secure medications in plastic bags and dispose at any of the three transfer stations in the Household Hazardous Waste section, free of charge:

Valley Transfer Station - 3941 N. Sullivan Road
Waste to Energy Facility - 2900 S. Geiger Blvd
North County Transfer Station - 22123 Elk-Chattaroy Road

Spokane County residents may place pharmaceutical waste in residential garbage cans for curbside pickup. 

All residents are encouraged to contact their pharmacists for additional recommendations and information on safely disposing of pharmaceutical waste.

Some prescription containers may be recyclable. Check with the Recycling Hotline, 625-6800, for current information before disposing of the empty container in the trash.
Soiled bandages, disposable sheets, and medical gloves should be placed in securely fastened plastic bags before placing them in the garbage can with household trash.