Specialist disposal
How to dispose of needles and sharps bins
Put used needles straight into a sharps bin, never a household bin. When it is full, seal it and ask your pharmacy or council to take it.
Needles in bins injure people
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust says many people are seriously injured each year by needles thrown in household waste.
Get a sharps bin
Sharps bins are on prescription from your GP, or you can buy one at a pharmacy.
Pharmacies
Ask your pharmacy if it runs a sharps bin service.
Council collection
Some councils collect sharps from your home. There may be a charge.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
Written by Binmap using guidance from GOV.UK.
Pages from the organisations involved
What to do
- Put needles and syringes in as one piece. Do not take them apart.
- Stop filling at the fill line, or when the bin is three quarters full.
- Close and lock the lid, then label the bin.
- Keep it out of reach of children and pets until it is collected.
Mistakes to avoid
- Do not push sharps into a full bin with your hands.
Kinds of place that take it
- Collection services
- Specialist disposal points
Guides for similar items
Other kinds of place
Schemes and collection services
Binmap is independent and is not run by any council.