EPA Revises Needle Disposal Options

2004-12-16
Washington, D.C., (December 16, 2004) - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new recommendations on disposal of used syringes generated at-home, a move that may ultimately change the way the Americans dispose of used syringes. The new recommendations no longer suggest residents throw their used needles in the garbage, but encourage disposal of their used needles through other means; such as, community drop-off programs, household hazardous waste facilities, sharps mailback programs or at-home needle destruction devices.

It's currently estimated that between eight and nine million people are injecting at home. Two thirds of those people are injecting for medicinal purposes ranging from diabetes to arthritis to hepatitis. With an estimated 3 billion needles being generated per year, the Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal worked with EPA to promote safer alternatives for used needle disposal. The Coalition is a national non-profit organization made up of government agencies, professional associations and businesses, such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Medical Association, American Pharmacists Association, American Diabetes Association, National Recycling Coalition, Waste Management and Becton Dickinson.

"Collaborating with businesses, other government agencies and professional associations to develop this new guidance creates a strong commitment to protect the public from the potential hazards that unsafe disposal practices present," said Matt Hale, Director of EPA's Office of Solid Waste. "We're pleased that many states and communities have recognized that needle stick injuries are a preventable health risk and are choosing to offer safe, convenient disposal options to home needle users."

"This is a positive first step in changing the way Americans dispose of their used needles at-home," said Ben Hoffman, Board Chair, of the Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal. "Because home-generated waste is regulated at the state level, the Coalition has now begun step two; to work with states to help develop safe needle disposal programs specific to their communities."

"With the growing number of patients administering their own medication at home, the new EPA recommendations will offer these patients a safer way to dispose of used needles that will ultimately protect our patients and communities," said Melvyn Sterling, MD, Chair, American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs.

The new guidelines explain disposal options available to self-injectors:

Community programs (if available in your community):

Drop-off Collection Sites

Community Sponsored Household Hazardous Waste Programs

Residential Special Waste Pick-up Services

Syringe Exchange Programs

National Programs (available to all US residents)

Mail-back Programs

Home Needle Destruction Devices

The new brochures are free, and available online at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/medical/sharps.htm . You can order online at: http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/ordering.htm , by e-mail: ncepimal@one.net , or by calling 800/490-9198. Self-injectors should request EPA530-F-04-004; state and local governments should request EPA530-K-04-001.

The Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal a non-profit is a collaboration of businesses, community groups, non-profit associations and local, state and federal government entities committed to promoting public awareness of the hazards posed by improperly disposed sharps and solutions for the safe community disposal of needles, syringes and other sharps.