Follow these easy steps to safely pick up and dispose of syringes
Step 1: Pick it up
Many people use a tissue or napkin to pick up a discarded syringe. Especially if it’s just one syringe. Some people feel more comfortable wearing gloves, like gardening or kitchen gloves. Some people like to use tongs, pliers or a trash grabber. That’s a good idea for anyone who is going to pick up a lot of syringes or who is going on a community clean-up
Step 2: Drop it in
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Use a hard plastic container, such a sharps container or 20-ounce water or juice bottle with a lid.
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Set the container on the ground
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Drop the syringes in, one at a time, needle point down.
Step 3: Seal it up
- Close the container tight.
- If you have a piece of tape you can seal the top
- If you have a pen, you can write on the outside, “SHARPS. DO NOT RECYCLE.”
Step 4: Drop it off
It's against the law to throw syringes in the garbage, even if they are in a secure plastic container. Instead, drop the container in a nearby sharps box or take it to a Metro Household Hazardous Waste Facility:
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The Healthy Streets bin on the west side Waterfront Esplanade, under the Burnside Bridge
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The sharps box slot on the side of the storage container under the Steel Bridge
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Metro Central at 6161 NW 61st Ave, Portland (Metro only accepts sharps containers)
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Metro South at 2001 Washington St, Oregon City (Metro only accepts sharps containers)
For more disposal options, or if you have questions about medical waste disposal, contact Metro at 503-234-3000.
