Report Problems Associated with Sharps and Disposal Containers

Disposal of Sharps by Health Care Facilities

The information on this page is intended for use by consumers, including patients, family members, and home health caregivers to address disposal of used needles and other sharps used at home, at work, and when traveling. This page is not for health care facilities.

For information on sharps disposal at health care facilities or disposal of regulated medical waste by health care personnel outside of health care facilities, see Sharps Disposal Containers in Health Care Facilities.

If you experience an injury or device malfunction when using sharps or a sharps disposal container, we encourage you to file a voluntary report at 1-800-FDA-1088 or online through MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting program.

Please include the following information in your reports:

• Manufacturer’s Name and/ or Distributor’s Name
• Device Name (Brand Name)
• Date Device was Manufactured
• Details of Adverse Event and Medical and/or Surgical Interventions (if required)