Disposal Guidelines for Medical Related Wastes

There are a few misconceptions about syringes / sharps, prescription bottles, oxygen tubing and home IV tubing plastic. Even though these items are plastic or contain recycled plastic they are not considered recyclable in Otter Tail County. The correct disposal methods for home and animal care generated medical waste items are:

Syringes/Sharps
Home Sharps Disposal Locations
Prescription Medication and Bottles
Oxygen and IV Tubing
Bandages, Disposable Sheets and Used Latex Gloves

Syringes/Sharps

"I'm a diabetic and give myself insulin shots. What do I do with the used syringes?"

Place the used sharp/syringe in a puncture resistant container such as a 2-liter pop bottle or liquid laundry detergent bottle. Make sure the cap is tightly secured; label the container, "Home Sharps" and place it in the garbage for disposal at a solid waste transfer station or with the solid waste hauler.

Purchase a red home sharps disposal container at a local pharmacy. When the container is full, it can be placed in the garbage for disposal at a solid waste transfer station or with the solid waste hauler.

Home sharps, in a puncture resistant container, may also be disposed of at a number of other locations within Otter Tail County. Check the list below to see all of Otter Tail County's clinics and pharmacies that accept sharps.

For more information visit: Safe Community Needle Disposal. (off site link) or Download the Sharps Brochure 1.8Mb
 

Prescription Medication and Bottles

"My doctor changed my medication and now I have some leftover prescription medication. What should I do with it?"

Unused prescription medication and over-the counter medications may be placed in your trash. Please refer to the "Sharps Brochure" above for steps on how dispose of your medication properly.
Medications such as insulin may be disposed of in the garbage.
Brown empty prescription bottles should be disposed of in the garbage. They are not acceptable for recycling. White bottles with a neck can be recycled as long as they are rinsed out and have a number 1 or a number 2 on them.
Medications that have been used to treat cancer, such as chemotherapy drugs should not be placed in your garbage or sewered. Contact your medical
provider or pharmacist to find out how to properly dispose of these types of drugs.

Oxygen and IV Tubing

"I need oxygen to help me breathe. What do I do with used oxygen tubing?"

Oxygen tubing should be wrapped and disposed of in the garbage. They should never be placed with recyclable materials.

"Can I put my tubing from my home IV in the garbage?"

IV tubing used in home health care should be wrapped and disposed of in the garbage.

Bandages, Disposable Sheets and Used Latex Gloves

"How do I dispose of soiled bandages, disposable sheets and used latex medical gloves?"

Soiled bandages, sheets/bedding and medical gloves used in home health care should be placed in a plastic garbage bag, tied closed and put in the garbage for disposal at a solid waste transfer station or with your solid waste hauler.