You Need to Know Where You Can Dispose of Used Needles

Too many people don't know what to do with used needles. You know you can't, or should I say you know you shouldn't throw them away, but you also can't have them hanging around.

How To Dispose of Old Needles or Sharps

Let me back up for a moment and explain why I am bringing this up. You see, last year I had to start giving my aged dog injections. It was fluids that I had to give her under her skin, which required me to have large needles around the house.

I will admit I hate the sight of a needle, but it was important for Pearl to get these fluids. When I got the needles from the Vet, I asked if I could bring them back for disposal, and I was told no. Instead, I had to get a sharps (needle) container and then dispose of it myself.

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At the time, I thought ok and moved on, thinking I would deal with that tomorrow. So now, fast forward, Pearl has crossed the rainbow bridge, and I have a box of used needles to get rid of at some point. I never looked into what to do with them, and then last week I saw a post from the Town of New Paltz Police Department, they collect sharps.

Town of New Paltz Police Department Helps Their Community in Many Ways

I knew they did a lot of stuff for the community. Just in the last few weeks, they helped at the Ulster County Fairgrounds with The Rotary's Touch a Truck event.

They helped with the celebration through New Paltz for Pride month, and this past weekend, the Town of New Paltz Police Department could be seen assisting with the New Paltz Regatta.

Where in New York Can You Dispose of Used Needles or Sharps

For people with medical condition that requires needles, they already know their options for disposing of used sharps and needles. For those of us who are familiar but know that they can't be thrown out in the trash, it is great to know that a local police department can make the process easier.

For more information on properly disposing of needles and sharps, see this bulletin from the New York State Health Department. The NYS DEC also has a list you can look at to see what might work best for you.