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Business sharps disposal
Learn how, and where, to safely and legally dispose of syringes, needles, and lancets (sharps) used by a business.
How to dispose of sharps used in a business
Sharps generated or collected by a business or commercial enterprise are considered biomedical waste. Safe disposal of sharps is a cost of doing business and is the business owner's responsibility. This is true for businesses large and small, for-profit and non-profit. Biomedical waste generators may include, but are not limited to:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Veterinary hospitals
- Laboratories
- Pharmacies
- Airports
- Educational institutions
Sharps must be disposed through a permitted collection or a sharps mail back service or through an approved biomedical waste treatment method. Businesses may not use the King County or City of Seattle drop boxes for sharps disposal.
For additional information about the transporter permitting process or approved sharp waste treatment methods, please contact our Solid Waste Program at 206-263-9566.
Biomedical waste generators are also required to create a Biomedical Waste Management Plan.
Permitted sharp waste collection services
- Pacific NW Bio
3902 West Valley Hwy N Suite 506 Auburn, WA 98001- Phone: 206-422-2681
- Email: info@PacificNWBio.com
- Phone: 206-422-2681
- Stericycle, Inc.
20320 80th Ave S, Kent, WA 98032- Phone: 866-783-7422
- Email: Ask.regulatory@stericycle.com
- Trilogy Medwaste
3032 S Cedar St, Suite A, Tacoma, WA 98409- Phone: 888-763-3927
Mail back services
There are several companies that offer mail-in sharps disposal services. Customers purchase sharps containers, shipping packaging, and shipping labels from the businesses. When the sharps containers are full, customers mail the containers, in the special packaging, back to the company. Please check with each individual company for the most current information and requirements.