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Sharps Disposal

Sharps Quick Links


Sharps are items having a thin edge or a fine point suitable for or capable of cutting or piercing. This includes needles, glass slides and tubes, broken plastic, scalpel blades, pipette tips, swabs, and any other material which can puncture the skin or an autoclave or biohazard bag.

Sharps, both contaminated and uncontaminated, must be placed into puncture-resistant containers. Environmental Health & Safety can provide sharps containers, free of charge or you may use any hard plastic, sealable container (e.g., laundry detergent bottle) with the original label defaced/removed and relabeled with "Sharps." Add a biohazard sticker as needed. 

Red sharps disposal container
Photo: FDA.

Contact Information

Phone: 540-231-3600
Email: rmw-g@vt.edu

Contact the Biological Waste Team

Phone: 540-231-3600
Email: rmw-g@vt.edu