Sharps are needles and syringes which are used by community members for various reasons such as the admission of drugs or supplements and health monitoring. It's important to handle and dispose of sharps safely to protect yourself and the community from injury and infection.
How to dispose of sharps safely
Disposing of sharps at home
Small quantities (up to 7 litres) of personal use sharps can be disposed of by placing the needle and the syringe in a securely sealed rigid plastic container, such as a used laundry detergent or bleach bottle (but not a plastic milk or soft drink container, aluminium drink can or a glass bottle or jar); and placing it in one of the following locations:
- Your normal garbage bin.
- Pharmacies participating in the Queensland Needle and Syringe Program will accept sharps up to 7 litres.
- Many hospitals will take sharps, please call your local hospital for further information.
- Waste facilities which offer a sharps disposal area. This will be limited to quantities of 7 litres. The following waste facilities offer appropriate disposal areas:
- One of our sharp's disposal bins in Toowoomba:
- Ruthven Reserve, corner of Ruthven Street and Griffith Street, Harlaxton (park between Weis Frozen Foods and the Railway line) - open in Google Maps
- Kearney’s Spring sporting complex, corner of Spring Street and Ruthven Street, Kearney’s Spring - open in Google Maps
- Bell Street Mall, just outside the bus interchange - open in Google Maps
Disposing of sharps from a commercial facility
Businesses (such as medical or vet clinics) are required to employ a suitable waste disposal contractor to remove used sharps.
Disposing of sharps in public
Should you need to inject in public, please place your sharps in a sharps bin. These sharps disposal bins are available as wall mounted units within some toilet facilities in our parks.
Location of sharps disposal bins in Toowoomba toilet facilities
What to do if you find sharps
Sharps found on Council land
If you come across a needle or syringe in our region, don't attempt to remove the item yourself or attempt to recap the needle. Contact us on 131 872 and report the location of the sharps and our staff will remove the items. The following information will be useful:
- Exact location of the sharps e.g. landmarks and/or distances
- Details of the injecting equipment e.g. one needle, cap off, broken syringe
Sharps found on private property
Sharps found on private property can be put in a rigid walled, puncture resistant container such as a soft drink bottle and sealed securely. The container can then be put into an ordinary rubbish bin. Only dispose of the sharps if able to do so safely.
If you have any concerns, contact the Queensland Clean Needle Helpline on 1800 633 353.