Tennessee authorizes syringe services programs under TCA 68-1-136, and Memphis-area providers offer needle exchange and sharps disposal. Residents must dispose of used needles in puncture-resistant containers, never in curbside trash.
Under Tennessee's syringe services program law (TCA 68-1-136, enacted 2017), the Department of Health may approve harm reduction programs that exchange needles, distribute naloxone, and provide sharps disposal. A Plus 1 Health and similar Memphis providers operate approved programs serving Shelby County. For household sharps, residents must place used needles in FDA-cleared sharps containers or in heavy-duty plastic bottles with screw-on caps clearly labeled 'Do Not Recycle - Sharps.' Loose needles in household trash violate Memphis Code Chapter 26 (Solid Waste) and create hazards for sanitation workers. Some Memphis pharmacies and hospitals accept community sharps for disposal.
Discarding loose needles in curbside trash, recycling bins, or public spaces violates solid waste rules and can result in fines from Memphis Solid Waste Management. Operating an unapproved syringe exchange is illegal under state law.
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