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.
See how Wilmington's syringe disposal rules stack up against other locations.
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