Used needles and syringes generated in Wilmington homes must be placed in rigid puncture-resistant containers and may not go in curbside trash or recycling. Delaware operates harm-reduction drop-off and exchange programs.
Under Delaware solid waste rules and Wilmington refuse code Chapter 35, sharps generated by household self-administration of medication should be sealed in FDA-cleared sharps containers or sturdy household containers with screw-on lids and labeled. Loose syringes in curbside trash or recycling are prohibited because they injure haulers. Delaware's Division of Public Health authorizes Syringe Services Programs (SSP) and pharmacy take-back, and several Wilmington pharmacies accept properly contained sharps.
Improperly discarded sharps can result in solid waste citations and, if found in recycling, contamination fees passed to the generator or hauler.
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See how Wilmington's syringe disposal rules stack up against other locations.
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