What to Do with Used Sharps in Tennessee
Put used sharps in a strong, plastic container that is puncture proof
Have a needle clipper? When the needle clipper is full, it can be disposed of according to your state or local regulations. More information can be found here.
Put the plastic container in the household trash - don't recycle!
If a trash collector is reluctant to collect a red sharps container, refer them to your state waste agency.
Sharps should never be thrown loosely into the trash or toilet.
Sharps that retract after use, or are very small, should be disposed of like all other sharps.
If you would like to bring your sealed container to a community sharps disposal program, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation sponsors seasonal household hazardous waste collection events that accept properly contained sharps from Tennessee residents.
Disposal locations in Tennessee (32)
| Location Name | Address | City | Phone | Service Area | Residency Restriction | Provides Containers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens City Recycle Center | 118 Rocky Mount Rd | Athens, 37303 | 423-744-2749 | Athens | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Kirby Whitten Pharmacy) | 3090 Kirby Whitten Rd | Bartlett, 38134 | 901-425-9986 | Shelby County | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Hudson Drug Store Bolivar) | 600 Nickolls Rd | Bolivar, 38008 | 731-658-5207 | Hardeman County | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Brentwood Pharmacy) | 343 Franklin Rd #205 | Brentwood, 37027 | 615-454-2990 | Williamson County | No | No |
| Ballad Health Diabetes Clinic Bristol Container Exchange Program | 1 Medical Park Blvd | Bristol, 37620 | 423-844-2950 | Sullivan County | No | Yes |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Case Drug) | 30816 Broad St | Bruceton, 38317 | 731-586-2931 | Carroll County | No | No |
| Tennessee DEC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event-Houston County Convenience Center (October 24th Only) | 1136 Fire Tower Rd | Erin, 37061 | 931-539-9429 | Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Erin Drugs) | 5897 E Main St | Erin, 37061 | 931-289-5995 | Houston County | No | No |
| Ballad Health Urgent Care Clinic Erwin Container Exchange Program | 800 S Mohawk Dr Ste C | Erwin, 37650 | 423-735-4750 | Unicoi County | No | Yes |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Tucker Pharmacy) | 2415 Fairview Blvd | Fairview, 37062 | 615-799-0691 | Williamson County | No | No |
| Franklin Municipal Services Complex | 417 Century Ct | Franklin, 37064 | 615-794-1516 | Franklin | Yes | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Hudson Drug Store Grand Junction) | 249 Hardeman St N | Grand Junction, 38039 | 731-433-4500 | Grand Junction | No | No |
| Ballad Health Diabetes Clinic Greeneville Container Exchange Program | 1420 Tusculum Blvd | Greeneville, 37745 | 423-787-5000 | Greene County | No | Yes |
| Chester County Recycling Center | 315 Talley Store Rd | Henderson, 38340 | 731-989-9855 | Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Tennessee DEC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event-City of Jackson Public Services Complex (October 24th Only) | 164 South Conalco Dr | Jackson, 38301 | 731-425-8217 | Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Ballad Health Urgent Care Clinic Johnson City Container Exchange Program | 161 Heart Dr Ste A | Johnson City, 37604 | 423-282-0751 | Washington County | No | Yes |
| Ballad Health Diabetes Clinic Kingsport Container Exchange Program | 132 W Sevier Ave Ste 2 | Kingsport, 37660 | 423-224-3575 | Hawkins, Sullivan Counties | No | Yes |
| Loudon Convenience Center *Appointment Required* | 300 Rock Quarry Rd | Loudon, 37774 | 865-458-8536 | Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Blount County Recycling Center | 331 Levi St | Maryville, 37804 | 865-268-3238 or 865-982-4652 | Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Shelby County Health Department Container Exchange Program | 814 Jefferson Ave | Memphis, 38105 | 901-222-9523 | Shelby County | Yes | Yes |
| Johnson City Community Hospital | 1901 S Shady St | Mountain City, 37683 | 423-727-1100 | Johnson County | No | Yes |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside US Pharmacy) | 440 St Andrews Dr | Murfreesboro, 37128 | 615-295-2301 | Rutherford County | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Pruitt's Discount Pharmacy) | 1107 Bradyville Pike | Murfreesboro, 37130 | 615-562-6337 | Rutherford County | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Affordable Pharmacy) | 3139 Lebanon Pike | Nashville, 37214 | 615-622-2700 | Nashville | No | No |
| Medical Waste Pros (inside Harding Pharmacy) | 4120 Nolensville Pike | Nashville, 37211 | 615-760-5670 | Nashville | No | No |
| Reeves Drug Store | 125 N 1st St | Pulaski, 38478 | 931-363-2561 | Pulaski | No | Yes |
| Giles County Ag Convenience Center | 2030 Elkton Pike | Pulaski, 38478 | 931-424-7035 | Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Ballad Health Urgent Care Clinic Rogersville Container Exchange Program | 405 Scenic Dr Ste A | Rogersville, 37857 | 423-921-3490 | Hawkins County | No | Yes |
| Tennessee DEC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event-Hawkins County Recycling Center (October 24th Only) | 8580 Hwy 11W | Rogersville, 37857 | 423-921-2465 | Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Grainger County Department of Sanitation Recycle Center | 2458 Narrow Valley Rd | Rutledge, 37861 | 865-828-4881 | Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Sevier County Household Hazardous Waste Facility | 943 Centerview Rd | Sevierville, 37862 | — | Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Hancock County Hospital | 1519 Main St | Sneedville, 37869 | 423-733-5000 | Hancock County | No | Yes |
Please note that SafeNeedleDisposal.org is not affiliated with these facilities or programs. Contact the individual facility to confirm hours of operation and requirements.