Harris County, TX Public Health Rules: Syringe Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- TX H&S Code Chapter 728
- County program
- HCPH SHARP drop-off
- Container
- Rigid puncture-resistant required
- Cost to residents
- Free at SHARP sites
- Business waste
- Licensed hauler required
Summary
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 728 governs disposal of household sharps. Harris County Public Health operates a SHARP collection partnership offering residents free drop-off of properly contained used syringes and lancets at participating sites.
Sec. 481.125. OFFENSE: POSSESSION OR DELIVERY OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally uses or possesses with intent to use drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, or conceal a controlled substance in violation of this chapter or to inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance in violation of this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Texas treats home-generated sharps as special waste under Health and Safety Code Chapter 728 and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules. Residents must place used needles, lancets, and syringes in rigid puncture-resistant containers and never in loose trash or recycling. HCPH partners on a SHARP collection program with pharmacies, clinics, and county health centers to accept properly contained sharps from Harris County residents at no cost. Texas does not authorize public syringe-services exchange programs outside narrow pilot authorizations. Improper disposal causing injury can support civil liability and county or city nuisance citations. Generator businesses must use licensed medical waste haulers, not the SHARP program.
Violations & Fines
Discarding loose syringes in trash, recycling, or public spaces violates Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 728 and can lead to civil liability, illegal dumping citations, and Class C misdemeanor charges in Harris County justice courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I drop off sharps in Harris County?
Can I throw used needles in regular trash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harris County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Harris County to another location·View the Texas public health rules overview
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