C o m m u n i t y H e a l t h O u t r e a c h W o r k t o P r e v e n t H I V / A I D S

CHOW FACT SHEET

CHOW Project. Reducing Harm. Optimizing Health.

Safe Syringe Disposal Options in Hawaii

Recommendations from the Hawaii Department of Health Office of Solid Waste Management

PROBLEMS OF IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF The Community Health Outreach

BIOHAZARDOUS MATERIALS Work (CHOW) Project is dedicated
to serving individuals, families and
There are serious safety concerns when disposing of used syringes, communities adversely affected by
needles, sharps and other bio-hazardous materials, specifically in re- drug use, especially people who inject
gards to our garbage collectors and landfill workers. If proper care is drugs, through a participant-centered
not taken, needles can puncture the trash bags and cause injury and harm reduction approach. CHOW
potentially spread infectious diseases like hepatitis. According to the works to reduce drug-related harms
State Department of Health (2000), the types of home health care such as but not limited to HIV, hepa-
waste items may include: titis B/C and overdose. CHOW
Needles and Syringes supports the optimal health and well-
Lancets being of people affected by drug use
Cookers and Tourniquets
throughout the State of Hawaii.
Other sharp objects

6 STEPS TO DISPOSE OF USED NEEDLES AND NEEDLE EXCHANGE SERVICES

SYRINGES SAFELY AT HOME AND OTHER OPTIONS

Place needles, syringes, lancets, and any other contaminated If you use needles to inject drugs,
tools inside any strong, leak proof plastic container that has a steroids, hormones or other sub-
small opening (so that no one else is able to stick their hand stances, and wish to exchange
into it). them for sterile ones at the
CHOW Projects Syringe Ex-
Clearly mark the container BIOHAZARD.
change Program, contact them at
Needles and other contaminated sharps are NOT recyclable. (808) 853-3292.
Please keep them separate from other recyclables.
Do Not recap, bend or break the needles prior to inserting Ask your medical provider if they
them into the container. Place all parts inside the container. will dispose of used syringes and
Chemically disinfect all materials by pouring a 1 part bleach needles for you.
solution and 10 parts water into the container. Soak for 20
minutes then pour liquid down the drain and recap. Seal with If you exchange with CHOW ask
an outreach worker for a
heavy duty tape.
SHARPS Container or purchase
Be sure to keep all contaminated containers away from chil- one at a pharmacy for your per-
dren and pets and place with other household solid waste. sonal disposal.

For more information about home health care waste items from the Dept. of
Health, Office of Solid Waste Management contact (808) 586-4226.

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