Sharps containers are a lifeline tool for preventing needlestick injuries (NSIs) and stopping the spread of bloodborne pathogens like HIV, HBV, and HCV. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 385,000 needlestick injuries occur annually in US healthcare facilities, 70% of which could be prevented through proper sharps disposal. In the European Union, the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) mandates that all medical sharps be collected in certified containers to protect waste handlers and the environment. If you run a medical clinic, dermatology practice, or aesthetic salon, one of the most important-yet often overlooked-parts of your daily operations is proper sharps disposal.
You've undoubtedly seen that red biohazard container on the counter. You've tossed a used needle in it without hesitation. But do you really know what should and shouldn't be in a sharps container? And why is it so crucial for safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility? As a leading manufacturer of medical syringes and injection safety solutions, Hubei Jingyuankang Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., we believe that safety practices begin with clear understanding. We'll detail everything you need to know about sharps containers so you can protect your employees, patients, and your business.
What is a sharps container?
A sharps container is a sturdy, leak-proof, puncture-resistant box designed to safely collect and dispose of used medical sharps. These sharps can puncture or cut the skin.
These containers:
Clearly marked with the biohazard symbol
Color-coded (typically red in the US and EU)
Leak-proof and seal when full
Compliant with U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and EU medical waste regulations
Once full, sharps containers are collected by a licensed medical waste disposal facility for appropriate incineration or sterilization.
✅ What items can be placed in a sharps container?
Only items that are sharp, contaminated with blood or body fluids, and used for patient care should be placed in a sharps container. Below are the most common categories, with examples related to cosmetic, medical, and home care:
Syringes and Needles (Most Common Sharps)
All used syringes, regardless of size or purpose, must be placed in a sharps container. This includes:
Cosmetic Syringes: Used 1ml refill syringes and their accompanying 27-34g needles. Even "empty" syringes may contain a small amount of blood/fluid, posing a risk.
Medical Syringes:After drawing blood, use a medical-grade 10ml disposable syringe or a PRP collection syringe
Home Syringes: Insulin syringes used by diabetics or 5ml oral syringes (if they have a needle attached, which is rare but may be used for pediatric medications).
Pro Tip: Never cap a needle before discarding-it's a leading cause of needlestick injuries.
📌 Even if the needle has detached from the syringe, it must be placed in a sharps container.
Other Injection-Related Sharps
These items are used with syringes and pose the same risks:
Needle Hubs and Adapters: Luer lock needle hubs (used to connect needles to syringes) or "needle-free" injection adapters (used for cosmetic treatments).
Winged Needles (Butterfly Needles): Used for drawing blood or intravenous fluids-even the plastic wings do not make them "soft."
ProduNon-Syringe Medical Sharpscts Description
Sharps containers are not only used for syringes, but can also hold (store) other puncture devices:
Lancets: Used for blood sugar testing (for diabetics) or skin punctures (for cosmetic skin analysis).
Surgical Blades: Small blades (e.g., No. 15 scalpels) used for minor cosmetic procedures (e.g., microneedling preparations).
Dermal Piercers: Tiny, sharp instruments used for acne scar treatment or piercing-their metal tips are considered high-risk sharps.
Contaminated "Hidden" Sharps
Some items may appear harmless, but if contaminated, they qualify as:
Broken glass syringes: If a reusable glass syringe breaks, all sharp fragments should be placed in the container (wrapped in gauze first to avoid puncturing the container itself).
⚠ Note: Intact glass bottles (containing no blood) are not considered sharps, but broken ones are.
Dental sharps: Used dental needles (for local anesthesia) or orthodontic wire that have come into contact with blood/saliva.
Our sterile disposable syringes are designed for safe disposal in their entirety, minimizing handling and reducing exposure risk.
❌ What items should not be put in sharps containers?
Placing the wrong items in sharps containers not only creates waste but can also lead to fines, safety hazards, and improper waste disposal.
| Item | Why It Doesn't Belong |
| Unused or expired needles/syringes | Not contaminated - can often be recycled or returned to supplier |
| Gloves, gauze, or cotton swabs | These are biohazardous waste, but not sharps - use red biohazard bags |
| Masks or protective clothing | Dispose of in medical waste bags |
| Plastic packaging or wrappers | General waste or recycling |
| Intact glass vials (unbroken) | Unless contaminated, these go in glass recycling or pharmaceutical return programs |
| Chemical waste (e.g., unused filler) | Requires special hazardous waste disposal |
🚫 Never overfill sharps containers. Fill only to the "Do Not Exceed" line (usually ¾ full). Overfilling containers increases the risk of needlestick injuries.
Why Proper Sharps Disposal is Important
1. Preventing Needlestick Injuries
Over 385,000 needlestick injuries occur annually in U.S. healthcare facilities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Used needles can spread:
HIV
Hepatitis B and C
Other bloodborne pathogens
Properly used sharps containers can reduce this risk by 70% or more.
2. Protect your staff and patients
Practice staff, especially nurses and aestheticians, are at the highest risk. Safely disposing of sharps shows you care about their health.
3. Ensure you comply with regulatory bodies such as:
US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
UK Health and Safety Services (HSE)
EU Directive 2010/32/EU
Requires proper management of sharps.
4. Support environmental safety
Improper disposal (e.g., throwing sharps in the regular trash) can harm sanitation workers and pollute the environment.
Best Practices for Using Sharps Containers
✔ Keep the container within easy reach of the injection site.
✔ Mount it on a wall or use a stable stand to prevent tipping.
✔ Use a puncture-resistant container with a secure lid.
✔ Never recapp, bend, or break a needle before disposal-this increases the risk of injury.
✔ Provide annual sharps safety training to all staff.
✔ Choose a clear window or level indicator to monitor the fill status.
How to Choose a Sharps Container Compatible with Your Syringes
Not all sharps containers are compatible with all syringes-here are some things to keep in mind:
Size: For home use (diabetics use 1-2 insulin syringes daily), a 1-liter container lasts 1-2 months. For aesthetic clinics (using 50+ refilled syringes per week), a 5-liter container is ideal.
Compatibility: Make sure the opening is wide enough to accommodate your largest syringe. Our containers have a 30mm opening, large enough to accommodate 60ml syringes while still compact enough to prevent spills.
Certification: Be sure to choose a container that is FDA/CE certified to avoid regulatory fines.
The Link Between Syringe Design and Safe Disposal Did you know?
The design of the syringe itself can influence safe disposal.
Syringes should have the following features:
Luer lock compatibility, reducing needle drop
Smooth plunger seal prevents leaks
Clear markings reduce dosing errors (and product waste)
Integrated safety features (such as retractable needles)-while not common in the beauty industry-are becoming increasingly common.
What happens to sharps after disposal?
Collected sharps containers:
Transported by a licensed medical waste disposal company
Sterilized by autoclaving or incineration
Crushed and reduced to inert plastic pellets
Safely landfilled or recycled (where permitted)
If regulations are followed, no sharps will end up in regular landfills or the ocean.
Why is our facility your one-stop shop for sharps and syringes?
As a leading medical device manufacturer, we not only manufacture syringes but also design compatible sharps containers:
Perfect compatibility: Our sharps containers are compatible with all our syringe sizes (from 0.1ml micro syringes to 60ml large-volume syringes) and needles (27G–34G).
Global compliance: Each product is CE MDR compliant, eliminating the need to source containers from other suppliers.
Customization options: We offer branded sharps containers (printed with your clinic's logo) and offer bulk pricing for spas or hospitals.
Request a sample kit (includes a 1-liter container, safety syringe, and disposal instructions)
Safety starts with the right tools.Knowing what's in your sharps container isn't just a rule; it's a responsibility. As a medical or aesthetic professional, you're responsible for patient safety, staff well-being, and environmental stewardship. And it all starts with the syringe.
At [Hubei Jingyuankang Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.], we not only manufacture high-quality, sterile, disposable syringes, but also support clinics in building safe, compliant, and efficient workflows from injection to disposal.
👉 Explore our full line of disposable syringes-designed for precision, safety, and seamless integration into your clinical practice.
📩 Looking for bulk orders, private label, or custom packaging? Contact us today for a free consultation.