Walton County, GA Public Health Rules: Syringe Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Ch. 39, Art. VII (tattoo/piercing establishments)
- Sharps container requirement
- Puncture-resistant, closed, biohazard-labeled
- Bending/breaking needles
- Prohibited by hand
- Disposal standard
- Ga. DNR EPD Rule 391-3-4-.15
- Scope
- Licensed tattoo/piercing establishments only
Summary
Walton County's only sharps-disposal rule sits inside the tattoo and body piercing regulations at Chapter 39, Article VII. Every needle or sharp instrument used in a licensed establishment must go straight into a closed, puncture-resistant, biohazard-labeled sharps container, never bent or broken by hand, and filled containers must be incinerated, rendered non-hazardous or landfilled under Georgia EPD biomedical-waste rules.
Needles or other sharp instruments used during body tattoo/body piercing procedures shall be placed immediately after use in puncture resistant, closed containers with a biohazard label. ... Used needles shall not be purposely bent or broken, or otherwise manipulated by hand. ... Filled sharps containers shall be considered regulated waste and shall be sent to a facility where they are either incinerated, rendered non-hazardous, or deposited in a landfill approved to accept biomedical waste in compliance with Georgia Department of Natural Resources—Environmental Protection Division—Solid Waste Management—Chapter 391-3-4-.15.
Full Breakdown
Section 39-303 governs disposal of waste generated by body tattoo and body piercing establishments permitted under Chapter 39, Article VII. Any needle or other sharp instrument must be placed immediately after use into a puncture-resistant, closed container bearing a biohazard label, and operators may not bend or break a used needle by hand, a step meant to prevent accidental needle sticks during handling. 15. Other waste that could release liquid or dried blood when handled, such as soiled gauze or wipes, must be sealed in impervious bags separate from any sharps and disposed of at an approved sanitary landfill.
This provision applies specifically to licensed tattoo and piercing establishments; Walton County's code contains no separate general household sharps take-back program or needle-exchange siting rule outside this chapter. The county health department inspects these establishments at least twice a year and enforces waste-handling compliance as part of that inspection, with authority to suspend a permit if improper sharps handling creates an imminent health hazard.
Violations & Fines
Improper sharps handling counts as a critical violation of the tattoo/piercing rules. Section 39-284 lists reuse of single-use equipment and mishandling of sterile or reusable instruments among the violations that trigger an unsatisfactory inspection rating, and section 39-305 lets the health department summarily suspend an establishment's permit immediately when an imminent health hazard exists, with a right to a preliminary hearing within 72 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Walton County have a needle-exchange program?
How must a tattoo shop dispose of used needles?
What happens to other blood-contaminated waste like gauze?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Walton County
Compare Walton County to another location·View the Georgia public health rules overview
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