The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that all your sharps, which include needles, syringes, lancets, auto-injectors, infusion sets, and connection sets, should be disposed of into approved sharps containers. These containers provide a safe and efficient way for you to dispose of any materials that could potentially cut or puncture skin and cause infection.
In This Article
Per the FDA, all sharps containers must be made of a strong, hard plastic that's also leak-resistant and has a lid that fits the size of the container. It must also be upright, stable and labeled with a biohazard or hazard warning symbol.
You can purchase multiple sharps containers through multiple different FDA-approved suppliers. The size you get depends on the size of your sharps, the volume you need to dispose of and how often your container needs to be replaced. Once full, sharps containers can be secured and placed into a larger, rigid biohazard container to be picked up by a licensed medical waste disposal vendor.
Hinge Cap
Hinge caps are sharps containers that snap close when you dispose of any sharp. The hinge provides a locking closure when the container is full. Because you have to manually open and close the lid, it's only recommended if you don't frequently dispose of sharps.
This type is extremely accessible and available in many different shapes and sizes, so make sure the container you purchase fits the type of sharps that will be placed in the container.
Horizontal Entry Sharps Containers
Horizontal entry allows you to place sharps horizontally. This lid provides you with the maximum amount of storage space and an opening big enough for larger sharps.
Mailbox Lid
A mailbox lid is
similar to
the horizontal entry. The mailbox style consists of a hinged lid that seals the horizontal opening shut when you're not using it and locks when the container is full. This
sharps
container provides
you
another level of safety.
Always-Open Lid
Though the always-open style doesn't provide
you
as much protection, the lid is angled to prevent contact. This lid is extremely easy to access and is a great option if you dispose of sharps frequently
such as in a lab environment
.
Side-Entry
The side-entry lid is a unique style. There's a small slot on the side rather than the top for you to dispose of your sharps. It's extremely effective in preventing contact, but this style limits the size of the sharps you can insert.
Foot-Operated Lids
Foo
t
-operated lids are readily accessible and convenient if you dispose of sharps frequently. It's often found
on
a large container in places where there is a large volume of sharps being disposed of.
Again, this is best placed in an out-of-reach area where only licensed and trained professionals are working, such as in a lab setting.
Size, Shape and Color of Sharps Containers
When considering the various types of sharps containers, be sure that the size, shape and color fit your disposal needs. If you're disposing of large amounts of sharps, foot-operated or always-open can accommodate large amounts and would be great options albeit with an increased risk of an accidental sharps stick occurring if proper care and attention are not taken.
Additionally, the size of your sharps is a major factor. Long, short, skinny, wide and misshapen sharps all require different sized openings and lids, so make sure you know the specifications you need.
Different color options are also available. Red is the most common, but green, white and other colors are offered. Containers can also vary in opacity, which can make it easier to see how full it is. Depending on your practice, you may be able to explore the idea of color-coding your sharps containers.
When looking to purchase a sharps container, it's important you assess all options. Consult with suppliers to discuss what lid, size, shape and color is the safest option for your practice's needs.
Common Questions
- When should a sharps container be replaced?
- The FDA advises disposing of a sharps container when it is about three-quarters full, and OSHA requires containers to be replaced routinely and never allowed to overfill. Close and lock the container at the fill line, and never push sharps in or shake the container to make room.
- What color are sharps containers?
- Most sharps containers are red. OSHA requires them to be labeled with the biohazard symbol and the word “BIOHAZARD” or be red. Yellow containers are commonly used for sharps contaminated with trace chemotherapy agents.
- What does OSHA require for sharps containers?
- Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, sharps containers must be closable, puncture resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded. They must be easily accessible and as close as feasible to where sharps are used, kept upright, replaced routinely without overfilling, closed before removal, and placed in a secondary container if leakage is possible.
- How do you dispose of a full sharps container?
- Close and lock it, then have it collected by a licensed medical waste company or ship it through a mail-back program in approved packaging. Sealed containers are treated along with their contents, usually by autoclave. Never put sharps containers in the regular trash or recycling at a healthcare facility, and never reuse them.
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