Community sharps

A small pile of syringes

What are community sharps?

Many people rely on using needles and syringes to maintain their own health or that of a family member. Injecting equipment is also used by drug users and for animal healthcare by pet and livestock owners.

If you inject at home

  • Use a sharps container or other appropriate puncture resistant container (NOT glass).
  • Store containers out of reach of children.
  • Seal lid of container when three quarters full and dispose of container at one of the community sharps disposal facilities.

If you inject away from home

  • Place your injecting equipment in a community sharps bin in a public toilet or other place that has a community sharps disposal bin.
  • Place your injecting equipment in a sharps container or other appropriate puncture resistant container and dispose of the container at one of the community sharps disposal facilities listed below.

Disposal of community sharps

Community sharps should always be kept secure and separate from other waste. They should never be disposed of in public litter bins or household waste or recycling bins (plastic syringes are NOT recyclable). 

If you find injecting equipment

If you find a syringe in a public place, help protect your community by phoning us on (02) 6625 0500.

Local businesses

Business operators in service industries such as hospitality, accommodation, entertainment and retailing may encounter community sharps on their premises. You can dispose of community sharps by:

  • Installing community sharps disposal bins in public toilets and restrooms.
  • Arranging for a contractor licensed to remove all community sharps generated or collected on the premises.