How to Dispose of a Sharps Container Safely in South Africa

A full sharps container should not be thrown into a normal bin, emptied by hand or stored indefinitely. It should be sealed, stored safely and collected through a medical waste disposal process.

Step 1: Stop at the fill line

Do not keep adding needles or blades once the container reaches the marked fill level. Overfilling increases the risk of injury.

Step 2: Close and seal the container

Follow the container instructions and make sure the lid is secured. Do not try to reopen a sealed container.

Step 3: Store it safely before collection

Keep the container in a clean, secure area away from patients, visitors, children and general waste.

Step 4: Arrange medical waste collection

A sharps container should be collected as healthcare risk waste and handled through a responsible treatment process.

What not to do

• Do not empty sharps into another bin.
• Do not place sharps containers in municipal refuse.
• Do not overfill the container.
• Do not store full containers in public areas.

How MNE Waste Management helps

MNE Waste Management supplies sharps containers and collection support for clinics, dentists, tattoo studios, pharmacies, laboratories and other South African businesses.