What is a proper disposal step for a syringe after handling it with gloves?

What is a proper disposal step for a syringe after handling it with gloves?

• A. Dispose in regular trash
• B. Leave it where found
• C. Put it in a sharps container
• D. Break the needle to render it useless

Answer: (C)

Placing used syringes in a sharps container is the safe and proper disposal step. Sharps containers are designed to be puncture- and leak-resistant and are closable, keeping needles and syringes contained to prevent accidental needle-stick injuries and exposure to potentially infectious material. Disposing in regular trash risks harming sanitation workers and the environment, leaving it where it’s found creates an immediate hazard, and breaking the needle to render it useless can still leave dangerous fragments and does not provide the guaranteed containment that a proper sharps container offers.

Placing used syringes in a sharps container is the safe and proper disposal step. Sharps containers are designed to be puncture- and leak-resistant and are closable, keeping needles and syringes contained to prevent accidental needle-stick injuries and exposure to potentially infectious material. Disposing in regular trash risks harming sanitation workers and the environment, leaving it where it’s found creates an immediate hazard, and breaking the needle to render it useless can still leave dangerous fragments and does not provide the guaranteed containment that a proper sharps container offers.