It still is in the Phoenix Metro area -
http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/waste/solid/ic.html
Just note this applies only to home generated sharps - institutions (i.e. hospitals and such) must follow bio-waste guidelines.
I have just filled my first giant sharps container. I received it from the needle exchange in San Francisco and plan on bringing it there. I cannot keep driving all the way to the needle exchange (its very far from my house) and refuse to spend $20 for the pharmacy to order one. I don’t want to put mine in the trash because one of my neighbors goes through everyone’s trash for recycling. Something I don’t approve of but don’t really know how to fix. I don’t know what to do except keep traveling long distances… My real problem is disposing of my infusion set applicators. They are huge and don’t fit into my container… Any Ideas?
Unfortunately on the trash thing once something is in the trash it is legal for people to dig through it. In California though it is illegal to dispose of medical sharps in the trash.
Some useful sites -
http://www.syringeaccess.com/safe_disposal.htm
http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/HomeHazWaste/Healthcare/Collection/
This one is a PDF listing the sharps consolidation points. Should have a place closer to you…
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&sqi=2&ved=0CCYQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdph.ca.gov%2Fcertlic%2Fmedicalwaste%2FDocuments%2FMedicalWaste%2FHomeGenShConsolPtjune09.pdf&rct=j&q=home%20generated%20sharps%20consolidation%20point&ei=_Sg3TaWgDJG8sQPO94XrAQ&usg=AFQjCNG2hdqTmsyqoQBkBPxex26d4yWUqw&cad=rja
Put the syringes etc into a plastic coca cola bottle and put into the trash seperately. The easiest way is to use outdoor trash cans in front of stores, gas stations etc. Put a full bottle into the trash. Noone will see the syringes etc. All they will see is the coca cola label and a bottle. This is the only option I have come up with too. The VA doesnt even take them. My trash company etc wont take them either. If you come up with a cheap option let me know. Btw, you can get the official bottles for disposal at Wal Mart for $$
Thanks! I will look at those.
Just found out from my local health dept that there were some laws passed and effective Jan 1, 2011 about getting rid of this. Fire dept wont take them, health dept now cant (unless its like 5 syringes LOL) because of disposal licensing and the trash company is now opening trash bags to look for recycleables, so I got nailed by them. In Denver, 100 miles away, the fire departments will take the red bottle ones, but budget cuts wont allow for new containers now (you have to buy). But I cant mail mine to Denver, because I am not a resident (was told on the phone).
hard to dump 90 to 100 at a time tho …but good idea
The EPA has a site for this topic…
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/medical/disposal.htm
There is also there a site that will exchange used syringes for new syringes (cutting costs?). Dont know if this is for HIV exchange for diabetic exchange…
Sounds like it’s something the ADA could take on. We shouldn’t be made to feel like criminals when we toss our lancets and needles. Sheesh.
I am inspired by this thread, however, to get a couple of the BD needle clippers and keep them around (one on my desk and one in my travel case.) I would hate to have some low-paid recycling worker with little or no health benefits stressing out for six months to a year about HIV because they got poked by one of my needles.
I know I’m a clean machine, but they would have no way of knowing that and it might really mess with their mind. Not cool.
I buy the BD home sharp containers at WalMart, they are only like 2 or 3 dollars and it will last you for a while. If you want to save that money, try using an empty milk gallon or an empty soda plastic bottle. They should consider those proper containers. As far as where to get rid of them, I know that the laws vary from state to state, and even within cities or counties.
Lol, I have this picture in my head of someone with a bucket of sharps bolting out of a car for the dumpster, dropping everything in while the driver of the car is screaming “HURRY UP!!!” then the dumper jumps Dukes of Hazzard style in through the window screaming GO GO GO!!!" 
I take my hazard containers, and other boxes loaded with used needles, pop the lids off, and just pour them out into the dumpster, caps off too! I never put them back on =D
No just kidding, I dont do that
I take them straight back to Kaiser every few months for disposal there, next load will be the last major used syringe disposal I take in now that I am on a pump, which cuts my medical waste way way way down.
There’s no sharps disposal where I live. We don’t have curbside recycling either.
I bring capped syringes to my vet. She kindly disposes of them with her other medical waste.
I have found a new cause, I am a woman of causes. And the cause is to get a defined method and place to dispose of our sharps here where I live. I called clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, you name it I called them even the city adminstration, garbage people, recycling people and here are the answers I got. First, in SD it is NOT against the law to just toss sharps, no matter what they are legal or not legal. (that’s comforting, NOT!) There is no place in the state that these people knew of that takes the sharps unless you do as one reader suggested drop them in the disposal container at the docs office without anyone looking. I have considered that. Most of the answers I got were to put them in sealed containers, mark them, and throw them out. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Most of the people I talked to wanted another answer but weren’t willing to stick their necks out…yet. The main reason they wouldn’t do it is because of insurance liability. SO…on to the next step. I’m not letting this one go. If diabetes continues to grow, we are going to have a bigger pollution problem than anyone expected. I’ve written the city/county gov’t people and many at our state house also. There are at least 19 members of the legislature who are diabetics themselves…so they know of what I speak. I’ll keep you posted.
I just toss mine in the garbage.
If I put them in a container for the trash, then the druggies would rip the bag apart to get to them.
you know, I’m going to start doing that in Vegas because I know that my doctor takes them if I request it, but at the same time, they prefer that I just put them in the container, tape it up real good, and in the trash it goes. Send me some samples of the letters that you have written and I’ll get the ball rolling here. 
Why are sealed containers and garbage not good enough? If that’s what your local laws are all the better. Who would pay for disposal if people start dumping all the home generated medical waste at hospitals? Would it come out of taxes? Or would each person have to pay for their container to be disposed of individually? Perhaps insurance would be billed. Or it just stays with seal in a hard plastic container, mark do not recycle and throw in the landfill. I don’t see how that is not good enough…
Just wrap them and toss them. As long as they are safe to handle (e.g. no sharp points and such sticking out), then toss it anyway.
I recap everything to make them safe for handling and to prevent any accidental sticks.
Besides, I know my blood is clean ( just full of sugar he he )
That would be great for some, but I guess I feel more responsibility than that for the people who are handling the sharps afterwards. The landfills in our country are going to be filled with sharps and not everyone’s blood is only touched by sugar.
Like I said, I guess I feel more responsibility than just tossing them. There is a reason for disposing of them properly.