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This program was created in 1988 to establish standards and minimum sanitary
practices relating to safe packaging, storage, treatment, transportation, and
disposal of biomedical waste. In 1999, a rule was adopted to establish
regulations addressing body-piercing establishments. Specialists, in conjunction
with nursing personnel, perform annual inspections and respond to complaints as needed.
Authority: 381 Florida Statues Chapter 64E-16 Florida Administrative Code 
 What Should I Do With Used Syringes?
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“Sharps” are defined as items having the potential to puncture or lacerate. These include syringes with attached needles and disposable lancets.
The American Diabetes Association’s statistics show that there are an estimated 2800 insulin-dependent county residents plus seasonal visitors who use sharps. In addition, there are others whose medical condition require the use of injected medication.
At a minimum of one injection per day, ONE MILLION sharps enter the solid waste stream annually in Pinellas County.
If not disposed of properly, sharps can cause many problems:
- They clog sewers and lift stations
- They end up at recycling centers
- They puncture solid waste containers and place workers along collection routes, and at the landfill, at risk of injury and/or disease
- They threaten public safety
- They may be contaminated with hepatitis, HIV (the disease that causes AIDS) and other serious or fatal diseases
What Can You Do?
The program is a cooperative effort between DOH, the Board of County Commissioners of Pinellas County, the American Diabetes Association and the sponsors listed in this brochure. This a public health and safety program and the cost has been underwritten by the sponsors as a public service.
THE PROGRAM IS VOLUNTARY AND ALL RESIDENTS AND
VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE. IT IS FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF PINELLAS COUNTY
This program is being provided for the private sector.
All professionals and businesses are
regulated under state and federal
biohazardous waste laws and may not participate
How Does The Program Work?
Visit one of the participating exchange sites. Ask for an approved sharps container and brief instructions on use.
- Take the container to your home and place it out of reach of children.
- As needed, perform your injection and then dispose of the syringe completely intact into the sharps container.
DO NOT SNAP OFF THE NEEDLE!
DO NOT RECAP THE NEEDLE!
When the container is full of discarded syringes, permanently close the top by following
the simple directions. Once this procedure has been completed, return the sharps container
to one of the participating exchange sites for proper disposal.
About the Sites:
In order to make the program run smoothly, it is required that you follow these guidelines:
- Go to the designated sites near you during the hours listed on the insert.
- At the participating site, obtain your first sharps container or exchange your filled red sharps container.
- When making an exchange, always give the filled sharps container to authorized personnel. Never leave a sharps container unattended.
- Always make sure your container is sealed properly. The exchange site has the right to refuse any improperly packaged boxes due to safety concerns for their employees.
- Your cooperation is essential in making this program successful while reducing the potential of improperly disposed needles.
You may be asked to furnish proof that you require the use of syringes at the exchange site.
Exchange Sites:
- Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital
1395 S Pinellas Avenue
Tarpon Springs
(727) 942-5000 x2870
Inquire at Emergency Room
Hours: Sun-Sat 8-4:30
- Morton Plant Mease Health
Care Dunedin
601 Main Street
Dunedin
(727) 734-6141
Inquire at Emergency Room
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-4
- Morton Plant Mease Health
Care Countryside
3231 McMullen Booth Road
Safety Harbor
(727) 725-6100
Inquire at Emergency Room
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-4
- Morton Plant Mease Health
Care Clearwater
323 Jeffords Street
Clearwater
(727) 461-8552
Inquire at Emergency Room
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-4
- Largo Medical Center
201 14th St SW
Largo
(727) 588-5200
Inquire at Reception desk
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-2:30
- Sun Coast Family Care Center
13540 Walsingham Rd
Largo
(727) 593-5492
Inquire at Reception Room
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-4
- Sun Coast Hospital
2025 Indian Rocks Road
Largo
(727) 581-9474
Inquire at Emergency Room
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-4
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- Columbia Northside Medical
Center
6000 49th Street North
St. Petersburg
(727) 521-4411
Inquire at information desk
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-4
- Columbia St. Petersburg
Medical Center
6500 38th Avenue North
St. Petersburg
(727) 384-1414
Inquire at information desk
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5
- St. Anthony's Hospital
1200 7th Avenue North
St. Petersburg
(727) 825-1272
Inquire at Emergency Room
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-4
- Columbia Edward White Hospital
2323 9th Avenue North
St. Petersburg
(727) 328-6101
Inquire at information desk
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-7
- Bayfront Medical Center
701 6th Street South
St. Petersburg
(727) 893-6155
Inquire at information desk
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-3
- Palms of Pasadena Hospital
1501 Pasadena Avenue South
St. Petersburg
(727) 381-1000 x7657
Inquire at information desk
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-3
- All Children's Hospital
801 6th Street South
St. Petersburg
(727) 767-4705
Inquire at Emergency Room
Hours: Sun-Sat 8-5
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For further information please call:
Pinellas County Health Department
Department of Health (DOH)
Environmental Health Division
(727) 507-4336
Pinellas County Solid Waste Operations
(727) 464-7500
American Diabetic Assoc. of Tampa Bay
(800) 741-3730
SPONSORED BY:
All Children’s Hospital
Palms of Pasadena Hospital
Bayfront Medical Center
Helen Ellis
Morton Plant Hospital
Mease Hospital
St. Petersburg General
Northside Hospital
Largo Medical Center
Edward White Hospital
St. Anthony’s Hospital
Sun Coast Hospital
This Program is Supported by Pinellas County Solid Waste
Operations and Pinellas County Health Department (DOH).
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St. Petersburg, FL 33701 
