The City of Madison, in cooperation with Dane County and 25 Madison pharmacies operates a drop off collection program for used medical needles. Madison residents can now take their used needles, syringes, and lancets to participating pharmacies for proper disposal.

Proper Disposal Is The Law

State regulations require households to safely package sharps and bans sharps from disposal in a landfill unless they have been specially processed. To help Madison residents, many clinics and physicians will take back used needles and dispose of them properly. However, many people do not have access to a sharps collection program. To assist you with proper disposal, the Streets Division has established a drop off program for used medical needles.

Sharps Disposal Guidelines

The City of Madison sharps disposal program is simple to use and is free of charge. All you have to do is properly package your used needles and take them to a participating pharmacy for disposal.

Packaging Requirements

All needles, syringes, and lancets (including veterinary needles used on animals) must be properly packaged.

Acceptable packages are:

• A red plastic sharps container
• A used plastic laundry detergent bottle labeled with a "Biohazard" or "Sharps" sticker. (NOTE: These stickers are available free of charge at participating pharmacies or by calling (608) 267-2626).
• Do not use plastic milk jugs or soda bottles.