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Murfreesboro, TN Public Health Rules: Syringe Disposal (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Container type
hard-plastic or metal, secured lid
Container reuse
not recyclable or store-return bottles
Governing section
Murfreesboro City Code § 14-7(E)
Collection
regular weekly Solid Waste pickup

Summary

Murfreesboro requires used needles, syringes, and lancets to go into a sealed hard-plastic or metal container before they reach the regular trash cart: loose sharps in curbside refuse are prohibited citywide.

Needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp objects shall not be placed in trash receptacles for regular collection until such objects are placed in hard-plastic or metal containers with a screw-on or tightly secured lid. The hard-plastic or metal container used to dispose of needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp objects may not be steel or plastic containers that will be recycled or returned to a store. The proper method for disposal of such sharp objects is to place used sharps in a plastic (normally a liquid detergent bottle) or steel (coffee) container; when full seal or screw on the lid and tape the container shut, then place in a garbage bag then place in the City provided cart per the Environmental Protection Agency. (Ord. of 12-30-46 § 1; Ord. No. 77-6 § 1, 08-04-77; Ord. No. 90-27 § 1, 06-07-90; Ord. No. 91-14 § 1, 02-28-91; Ord. No. 21-O-06, § 1(Att. A), 6-3-21)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 18 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Before disposal in a City-issued refuse container, sharps must go into a hard-plastic or metal container with a screw-on or tightly secured lid: an empty detergent bottle or metal coffee can qualifies, but the container can't be one that would normally be recycled or returned to a store for deposit. A separate provision for pathological waste from hospitals, clinics, and labs requires needles to be broken off at the hub and bagged apart from ordinary trash under Code § 14-7(B). Once sealed and taped shut, containers go inside the regular garbage bag for the Solid Waste Department's weekly pickup.

Violations & Fines

Loose or improperly contained sharps placed for regular collection violate Code § 14-7; general Code § 1-8 penalties apply: a civil fine up to $50, with each day a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just toss a used syringe in the trash bag?
No. Code § 14-7(E) requires needles, syringes, and lancets to be sealed inside a hard-plastic or metal container with a tight lid before they go in the regular trash.
What container works for home sharps disposal?
A plastic detergent bottle or metal coffee can with the lid taped shut is acceptable under the ordinance, as long as it isn't a container normally recycled or returned to a store.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Murfreesboro

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All Murfreesboro rules

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