Phoenix, AZ Public Health Rules: Syringe Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Container
- Rigid, leak-proof, puncture-resistant, labeled
- Lid
- Secured and taped shut
- Recycling bin
- Sharps prohibited, no exceptions
- Clinical/nonhousehold waste
- Separate rule, § 27-44
Summary
Phoenix requires lancets, syringes and hypodermic needles to go in a rigid, leak-proof, puncture-resistant, labeled container before trash pickup: never loose in the recycling bin.
All household medical and infectious solid waste including lancets, syringes, and hypodermic needles must be properly contained before disposing of in the solid waste container. Household and infectious waste must be placed in plastic bags and securely tied before placing in the solid waste container. Lancets, syringes, and hypodermic needles must be placed in a rigid, leak-proof, and puncture resistant container with a secured and taped lid and must be clearly labeled identifying the contents before being placed in the solid waste container. Depositing or disposing of household medical and infectious waste or lancets, syringes and hypodermic needles in any recycling container is prohibited. Nonhousehold medical and infectious solid waste must be disposed of as specified in Section 27-44. (Ord. No. G-4623, § 1, 2004; Ord. No. G-5920, 2014)
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Phoenix City Code § 27-11 treats used lancets, syringes, and hypodermic needles as household medical/infectious waste: they must be sealed in a rigid, leak-proof, puncture-resistant container with a secured, taped lid and a label identifying the contents before that container goes into the regular solid waste container for collection. Other household medical and infectious waste must be bagged and tied. Putting any of this material, sharps or otherwise, into a recycling container is separately and expressly prohibited. Nonhousehold (e.g., clinical) medical waste follows the separate disposal rules in § 27-44.
Violations & Fines
Improperly contained sharps or medical waste placed for collection, or any such waste placed in a recycling container, violates § 27-11 and is enforceable as a solid waste code violation under Chapter 27's penalty provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just drop a used needle in the trash can loose?
Can sharps go in the recycling bin instead?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Phoenix
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