Medical Sharps Disposal

Kiosk Available for the Safe Disposal of Home Medical Sharps

As of July 1, 2012, it is illegal in Massachusetts to discard medical sharps in household trash. The Burlington Board of Health (BOH), in cooperation with the Burlington Fire Department (BFD), has a kiosk available at the BFD to Burlington residents for the safe and legal disposal of home sharps (syringes, hypodermic needles, EpiPens and lancets). The kiosk is located in the lobby of the Fire Department at 21 Center Street.

"Home" sharps do not include those generated by home health aides, visiting nurses, or any other person providing a professional service in a private residence.

EpiPens

EpiPens that contain salt can be placed in our sharps container and disposed in the kiosk. EpiPens that do not contain salt are considered hazardous waste; please call the BOH at 781-270-1955 for disposal options.

Containers

The kiosk has a one-way opening that can accommodate containers no larger than quart size. Burlington residents can come to the BOH and receive three 1-quart sharps containers per visit. All sharps must be placed in an approved quart size, puncture proof containers before using the kiosk.

Residents who have an excessive amount of used or unused sharps that will not fit in three 1-quart containers will need to arrange for disposal. Please see our additional information that will guide you in this process.

For More Information

For more information on the kiosk, or information on how to obtain approved containers, please contact the Board of Health at 781-270-1955. In addition, a sharps kiosk is located in the lobby of the Burlington Police Department (BPD). Please contact BPD at 781-272-1212 for further information.