Syringe Disposal | Multnomah County

Oct 16, 2024

You can drop discarded sharps at free 24-hour sharps collection boxes located around the Portland Metro area. To find a box near you, go to Metro's interactive map.

There are safe ways to dispose of syringes you find on the ground.

Below you'll find information on how to pick them up and where to drop them off.

Follow this step-by-step guide on how to safely pick up and dispose of syringes

Step 1: Pick it up

Some people use a tissue or napkin to pick up a discarded syringe, while others feel more comfortable wearing gloves, like gardening or kitchen gloves. Some people also use tongs, pliers or a trash grabber. That’s a good idea for anyone who is going to pick up a lot of syringes or who is going on a community clean-up.

Step 2: Drop it in

Use an approved sharps container or a hard plastic container that cannot be punctured easily, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle.

Set the container on the ground

Drop the syringes in, one at a time, needle point down.

Step 3: Seal it up

Step 4: Drop it off

It's against the law to throw syringes in the garbage, even if they are in a secure plastic container. Instead, drop the container in one of these sharps collection boxes or Metro Facilities.

For more disposal options, or if you have questions about medical waste disposal, or find an illegal dump on public property, contact Metro at 503-234-3000.

No. It's against the law to throw syringes in the garbage, even if they are in a secure plastic container. Instead, drop the container in one of these sharps collection boxes or Metro Facilities. For more disposal options, contact Metro at 503-234-3000.

For maintenance and repair issues, please Metro’s RID Patrol at 503-234-3000.

Do not dispose of household medical sharps or other waste in syringe disposal boxes intended for community disposal. For households where syringes are used, place syringes in a sharps container and take them to a hazardous waste center:

Free sharps disposal is not available for businesses. Group homes, residential care facilities and other commercial or business customers should contact Metro at 503-234-3000.

Come to a city-organized clean-up event. Contact the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability at 503-823-7202 for dates and locations. Neighborhood coalitions also schedule cleanup events.

Organize a clean-up event for your neighborhood. Talk to your local city government or neighborhood association about organizing an event near you. Portland residents can learn more about their neighborhood association from City of Portland's Office of Community & Civic Life. 503-823-4519.

Volunteer on a cleanup (or organize your own) with SOLVE or Hands On Greater Portland.