Santa Fe, NM Public Health Rules: Syringe Disposal (2026)

3(J), part of the conditions of service for residential curbside collection, states plainly that hypodermic needles shall be placed in a puncture proof container with a screw top lid before being set out with household refuse; sharps are not permitted loose in a standard 33-gallon bag or automated cart. 7(F), which specifies that syringes shall be placed in a puncture proof container with a screw top lid, distinguishing sharps from the furniture, appliances and construction debris otherwise eligible for that service. 2(G) both list sharps among the non-recyclable materials that may not be placed in an automated recycling container alongside items like ceramics, electronics and hazardous containers.

Read together, these provisions route sharps through the same collection crews as ordinary household refuse, but only if they are contained so collection personnel cannot be pricked while handling bags, carts or roll-off bins. The city has not codified a separate needle-exchange or harm-reduction siting ordinance in this chapter; sharps handling is addressed purely as a solid-waste containment rule.