To ensure a clean and safe campus for all those who call UF home, the Student Health Care Center has created a sharps disposal program that UF students can utilize to safely dispose of approved biomedical waste items.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sharps container, and why do I need one?
Why is it important to dispose of sharps correctly?
Can I purchase a red sharps container on campus?
What kind of sharps containers will be accepted?
What items can I put in the sharps container?
How full can I fill my sharps container?
How do I seal the sharps container?
How do I return the full sharps container?
Do I need an appointment to return a sharps container?
Will SHCC accept loose sharps or any other type of container?
What if I have more questions about the Sharps Disposal Program?
What is a sharps container, and why do I need one?
A sharps container is a safe, hard plastic container used to dispose of sharp objects like needles, syringes, lancets, and other medical items. It’s important to dispose of these items properly to prevent injury and ensure public safety.
Why is it important to dispose of sharps correctly?
Proper disposal of sharps helps maintain a clean, safe campus for all members of the UF community. It prevents accidental injuries, reduces the risk of transmitting serious diseases like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV, and ensures biomedical waste is handled according to health and safety regulations.
Can I purchase a red sharps container on campus?
Yes, you can purchase an approved, red sharps container for $5 at the SHCC Pharmacy*.
*Students can choose to pay at the time of checkout or have this cost forwarded to their Bursar account.
What kind of sharps containers will be accepted?
Only red, hard plastic sharps containers with a self-locking lid will be accepted. Containers not purchased through SHCC will be accepted if they meet these requirements.
What items can I put in the sharps container?
You can safely dispose of the following items in your sharps container:
- Injection needles
- Injection syringes
- Auto-injection pens
- Prefilled injection syringes
- Lancets
How full can I fill my sharps container?
Fill your sharps container up to the “FILL LINE” marked on all four sides of the container lid. This is usually about 3/4 full. For safety purposes, please do not fill the container beyond this line.
How do I seal the sharps container?
Once the container is full, securely close the self-locking lid. For extra safety, you may tape the lid with two pieces of packing or heavy-duty tape to ensure it stays sealed.
How do I return a full sharps container?
Once your sharps container is sealed, bring it to the SHCC. Proceed to check in with the support staff member at the Sports Medicine & Acute Care desk on the first floor. You will need to provide your UFID to confirm your student status. Shortly thereafter, a nursing staff member will assist you with the disposal.
Do I need an appointment to return a sharps container?
No, you do not need an appointment to return an approved, red sharps container. You can walk in during business hours, Monday through Friday, to properly dispose of your sharps.
Will SHCC accept loose sharps or any other type of container?
No, the SHCC will NOT accept loose sharps or any sharps that are not properly sealed in a red, self-locking sharps container. This is for everyone’s safety.
What if I have more questions about the Sharps Disposal Program?
If you have any other questions or need assistance, feel free to call the SHCC at 352-392-1161 and select the option for the “Sports Medicine & Acute Care” department.