What to Do with Used Sharps in North Carolina
Put used sharps in a strong, plastic container that is puncture proof
Have a needle clipper? When the needle clipper is full, it can be disposed of according to your state or local regulations. More information can be found here.
Put the plastic container in the household trash - don't recycle!
If a trash collector is reluctant to collect a red sharps container, refer them to your state waste agency.
Sharps should never be thrown loosely into the trash or toilet.
Sharps that retract after use, or are very small, should be disposed of like all other sharps.
If you would like to bring your sealed container to a community sharps disposal program, there are drop-off locations in Buncombe County, Cumberland County, Durham County, Gaston County, Graham County, Henderson County, Iredell County, New Hanover County, Orange County, Union County and the City of Charlotte.
Disposal locations in North Carolina (28)
| Location Name | Address | City | Phone | Service Area | Residency Restriction | Provides Containers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buncombe County Transfer Station | 190 Hominy Creek Rd | Asheville, 28806 | 828-250-6205 | Buncombe County | Yes | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Vega Vitality Med Spa and Wellness) | 350 Fenton Gtwy Dr | Cary, 27511 | 919-377-2054 | Cary | No | No |
| Orange County Health Department Clinic-Southern Human Services Center | 2501 Homestead Rd | Chapel Hill, 27516 | 919-245-2400 x5 | Orange County | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Rejuvanate Mind~Body~Soul Charlotte) | 2400 South Blvd Ste 202 | Charlotte, 28203 | 704-577-6344 | Charlotte | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Walker's Drug Store) | 4390 Colwick Rd | Charlotte, 28211 | 704-364-3444 | Charlotte | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Carolina Pharmacy Arboretum) | 8035 Providence Rd #300 | Charlotte, 28277 | 704-909-4700 | Charlotte | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside David's Pharmacy) | 1816 E Arbors Dr | Charlotte, 28262 | 980-296-3784 | Charlotte | No | No |
| Cherokee Justice Center | 91 Seven Clans Ln | Cherokee, 28719 | 828-359-6879 | Cherokee | No | No |
| Cherokee Tribal EMS | 825 Acquoni Rd | Cherokee, 28719 | 828-359-6879 | Cherokee | No | No |
| Great Smoky Mountains Parkway Entrance | 1897 Tsali Blvd | Cherokee, 28719 | 828-359-6879 | Cherokee | No | No |
| Downtown Cherokee Visitors Center | 946 Tsalagi Rd | Cherokee, 28719 | 828-359-6879 | Cherokee | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Rejuvanate Mind~Body~Soul Cramerton) | 160 8th Ave | Cramerton, 28032 | 704-422-4355 | Gaston County | No | No |
| Durham County Human Services Building | 414 E Main St | Durham, 27701 | 919-560-7632 | Durham County | No | Yes |
| Durham County Justice Center | 510 S Dillard St | Durham, 27701 | 919-560-0854 | Durham County | No | No |
| Durham Police Department Headquarters | 602 E Main St | Durham, 27701 | 919-560-4600 | Durham County | No | No |
| Durham Police Department District 3 | 8 Consultant Pl | Durham, 27707 | 919-560-4583 | Durham County | No | No |
| Ann Street Landfill | 698 Ann St | Fayetteville, 28301 | 910-321-6920 | Cumberland County | Yes | No |
| Henderson County Convenience Center | 265 Convenience Center Dr | Hendersonville, 28791 | 828-697-4505 | Henderson County | Yes | No |
| High Point Sharps Collection Program *Appointment Required* | City Resident Pickup | High Point, 27260 | 336-883-3111 | High Point | Yes | No |
| Orange County Health Department Clinic-Whitted Human Services Center | 300 W Tryon St | Hillsborough, 27278 | 919-245-2400 x5 | Orange County | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Hillcrest Pharmacy) | 7892 Idlewild Rd | Indian Trail, 28079 | 704-821-6885 | Union County | No | No |
| John Welch Senior Center | 302 Airport Rd | Marble, 28905 | 828-359-6879 | Cherokee County | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Stallings Drug) | 102 W Hamlet St | Pinetops, 27864 | 252-250-3910 | Edgecombe County | No | No |
| Snowbird Health Clinic | 96 Indian School Rd | Robbinsville, 28771 | 828-359-6879 | Graham County | No | No |
| Food Lion Parking Lot | 111 Cherokee Crossing | Whittier, 28789 | 828-359-6879 | Whittier | No | No |
| Cherokee Tribal Food Distribution Program Parking Lot | 2318 Old Mission Rd | Whittier, 28789 | 828-359-6879 | Whittier | No | No |
| New Hanover County Household Hazardous Waste Facility | 3002 US Hwy 421 N | Wilmington, 28401 | 910-798-4400 | New Hanover County | Yes | No |
| New Hanover County Landfill | 5210 US Hwy 421 N | Wilmington, 28402 | 910-798-4450 | New Hanover County | Yes | No |
Please note that SafeNeedleDisposal.org is not affiliated with these facilities or programs. Contact the individual facility to confirm hours of operation and requirements.