Greensboro, NC Public Health Rules: Syringe Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- State authority
- NCGS 90-113.27
- Authorized since
- 2016 statewide
- Local partner
- Guilford County Public Health
- Container standard
- FDA-cleared sharps box
Summary
North Carolina authorizes syringe exchange programs under NCGS 90-113.27, and Guilford County Public Health partners with local nonprofits to provide sharps containers and safe disposal sites within Greensboro for harm-reduction purposes.
§ 90-113.27. Needle and hypodermic syringe exchange programs authorized; limited immunity.
(a) Any governmental or nongovernmental organization, including a local or district health department or an organization that promotes scientifically proven ways of mitigating health risks associated with drug use and other high-risk behaviors, may establish and operate a needle and hypodermic syringe exchange program. The objectives of the program shall be to do all of the following:
(1) Reduce the spread of HIV, AIDS, viral hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases in this State.
(2) Reduce needle stick injuries to law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel.
(3) Encourage individuals who use drugs illicitly to enroll in evidence-based treatment.
(4) Reduce the number of drug overdoses in this State.
(b) Programs established pursuant to this section shall offer all of the following:
(1) Disposal of used needles and hypodermic syringes.
(2) Needles, hypodermic syringes, and other injection supplies at no cost and in quantities sufficient to ensure that needles, hypodermic syringes, and other injection supplies are not shared or reused.
(3) Reasonable and adequate security of program sites, equipment, and personnel. Written plans for security shall be provided to the police and sheriff's offices with jurisdiction in the program location and shall be updated annually.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the Controlled Substances Act in Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes or any other law, no employee, volunteer, or participant of a program established pursuant to this section shall be charged with or prosecuted for possession of any of the following:
(1) Needles, hypodermic syringes, or other injection supplies obtained from or returned to a program established pursuant to this section.
(2) Residual amounts of a controlled substance contained in a used needle, used hypodermic syringe, or used injection supplies obtained from or returned to a program established pursuant to this section.
Full Breakdown
Since 2016, North Carolina permits syringe services programs to distribute sterile syringes, naloxone, and educational materials. Greensboro participants and partner organizations operate within Guilford County, accepting used sharps in puncture-resistant containers and offering linkage to substance use treatment. Residents may also drop off household sharps at certain Greensboro pharmacies or county collection events. Improper disposal in regular trash, recycling, or public places creates injury risk for sanitation workers and is discouraged. The state provides limited civil and criminal immunity for participants found with paraphernalia traceable to a registered program.
Violations & Fines
Discarding loose syringes in trash bins, public spaces, or recycling can trigger litter citations, while operating an unregistered exchange forfeits state immunity protections under NCGS 90-113.27.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I dispose of insulin needles in Greensboro?
Is participating in a syringe exchange legal in North Carolina?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greensboro
Compare Greensboro to another location·View the North Carolina public health rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.