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  1. Public Health
  2. Environmental Health
  3. Environmental Hazards
  4. Needle & Syringe Disposal

Needle & Syringe Disposal

Needle laying in the street

Used needles and other sharps are dangerous if they are not disposed of safely –they can injure people and spread infections that cause serious health conditions.

It is important to package and dispose of sharps safely to avoid exposing yourself and others to harm.


Proper Disposal

Place all needles and other sharps in a sharps disposal container immediately after they have been used to reduce the risk of needle-sticks, cuts, or punctures from loose sharps.

For more information go to the DNR household waste website. 

  1. Put the syringe, needle first, in sharps disposal container or a rigid, puncture-resistant container like a plastic laundry detergent bottle with a secure lid or cap.
  2. Clearly label the container with the words “biohazard,” “infectious waste,” or “sharps.” Do not put in the trash.
  3. When the container is full, seal it and dispose of it safely. Options for disposal include:
    • Pharmacies in Dane County that offer sharps collection.
      • Madison participating pharmacies
      • Dane County participating pharmacies and other collection sites 
    • Ask your doctor, clinic or local hospital if you can bring sharps to their location for disposal.
    • Use a sharps mail-back program.

Report Found Needles

Reports of found needles/syringes help us:

  • Determine if the needles found in public spaces are increasing or decreasing
  • Provide data to the City of Madison and Dane County so that “hot spot” patterns can be identified

Submitting a report is not linked to needle clean-up. Please always follow proper disposal practices or call your local law enforcement. 

Report Needles


PHMDC Needle Exchange Program

The Needle Exchange Program at PHMDC provides people who inject drugs a place to dispose of used syringes and receive new syringes to reduce the spread of infection.


Resources

  • Be Smart With Sharps, US Food and Drug Administration

Environmental Hazards

  • Environmental Spills & Complaints
  • Flood Resources
  • Indoor Air Hazards
  • Lead Poisoning
    • Drinking Water Testing
    • Paint & Varnish Lead Testing
    • Public Health Lead Services
  • Needle & Syringe Disposal
  • Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
    • PFAS Health Effects
    • PFAS Water Standards
    • PFAS News & Actions in Dane County
    • PFAS FAQs

Contact Us

  • 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
    Room 507
    Madison, WI 53703
  • Phone: (608) 266-4821
  • Fax: (608) 266-4858
  • Email: health@publichealthmdc.com
  • Español: (608) 243-0380
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Public Health Madison & Dane County Logo

Public Health Madison & Dane County

Office Location & Hours

  • Main Phone: (608) 266-4821
  • Environmental Health Phone:
    (608) 242-6515
  • Fax: (608) 266-4858
  • WI Relay Service and Interpretation Services Available
  • Email Public Health
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    City of Madison, Wisconsin
  • Dane County Logo
    County of Dane, Wisconsin

Healthy People. Healthy Places.

Public Health Services are available to all residents and visitors of Madison and Dane County. Citizenship is not a requirement. We provide services regardless of a person's race, color, gender/gender expression, ability, religion, sexual orientation or place of birth/place of residence.

Our Mission


Working with the community to enhance, protect, and promote the health of the environment and the well being of all people.


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