Sharps Collection Program

Jan 27, 2024

The Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Sharps Collection Program provides safe disposal of "sharps" (syringes, needles, and lancets) with the following services: removal of sharps from public property within 24 hours and securing sharps disposal boxes throughout the city.

If you find a syringe on public property (sidewalks, parking strips, streets, other public rights-of-way, or on the grounds of City facilities), report it to:

Sharps are not allowed in the garbage in Seattle because they can injure residents, garbage collection workers, and other employees that handle the garbage. Always use a designated sharps disposal container for used sharps. View the map below or download a PDF map of all drop-off locations.

Two types of sharps disposal box locations are listed below.

Large, mailbox-sized bins available outdoors, 24/7:(for disposal of containers up to 2 liters)

Smaller disposal bins:(for disposal of single sharps only)

Disposal box locations are distributed across all geographic sectors of Seattle. These include areas where reports of sharps on public property have been relatively high and in visible areas where space is available on public property.

Other sharps disposal locations:

In addition to the city-wide disposal boxes, sharps can be disposed at:

Please see our video on how to pick up sharps safely.

If you find a syringe on private property, do not pick it up with your bare hands. Follow the sharps handling instructions below. If you are unsure if the item you are reporting is on public property, call the Customer Service Bureau, (206) 684-2489 (CITY), for more information.