The Sarasota County Needle Disposal program offers a free, safe and legal way to dispose of hypodermic needles, syringes and lancets used by county residents. Just pick up an approved medical waste container at a participating location and begin placing all used needles, syringes and lancets into that container. When it is three-quarters full, return it for new container.

When handling needles, syringes and lancets there are some precautions to keep in mind:

• Do not re-cap or snap off the needle.
• Place both the needle and syringe into the medical waste container.
• Never place your hand inside of a medical waste container.
• Do not try to pry or take the top off of the medical waste container.
• Always keep medical waste containers out of the reach of children.
• Fill the container only three-quarters full.
• Make certain the lid is locked shut upon returning to drop-off site

If you would like more information on this program, call Carolynn Branson at 941-861-6133. To learn about other services offered by the Health Department, visit their Web site at www.sarasotahealth.org.

Needle disposal locations:

Sarasota County Health Department
Office of Environmental Health Services
1301 Cattleman Road, Bldg. A, Sarasota, 34232
941-861-6133
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sarasota County Health Department
Office of Environmental Health Services
4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Room 121, Venice, 34292
941-861-3310
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

North Port Fire Department – Station 81
4980 City Center Blvd., North Port, 34286
941-423-4355
Sunday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

North Port Fire Department – Station 82
5700 North Port Blvd., North Port, 34287
941-423-3620
Sunday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Express Testing, Sarasota Memorial Blackburn Center
929 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, 34229
941-917-4900
Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Suncoast Communities Blood Bank
1097 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, 34275
941-485-4800
Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Heartland Home Health
628 Indiana Ave. N., Englewood, 34223
941-473-1519
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sarasota Hazardous Waste Management
8750 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota 34241
941-861-1530
Wednesday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Suncoast Communities Blood Bank
1875 Arlington St., Sarasota, 34239
941-955-2956
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Selby Newtown Goodwill
1781 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Sarasota, 34234
941-556-3215
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Senior Friendship Health Services
1900 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, 34236
941-556-3215
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.