The Bay Area Sharps Disposal Program was designed as a no-cost community service to assist the residents of Hillsborough County with a safe and environmentally sound method for disposing of used needles or “sharps.” The improper disposal of sharps threatens the safety of every member of the community, as they may be contaminated with hepatitis, HIV, and/or other serious diseases. The risk of injury or harm is very real and very frightening.

If you have a medical condition that requires the use of injected medications, please make the extra effort to participate in this free program. While helping prevent accidental needle sticks in our community, you may also be protecting yourself from liability.

How do I dispose of used needles and syringes?

The disposal program is made possible by the medical facilities. Each of the participating facilities has volunteered to provide this service to the community, free of any cost to you.

  1. Visit one of the disposal sites during the indicated hours.
  2. Ask for a sharps container and instructions on its use.
  3. Keep the container out of reach of children.
  4. Dispose of your used syringes completely intact into the sharps container.
  5. When the container is approximately ¾ full, permanently close the top.
  6. Return the filled sharps container to any participating sharps disposal site.
  7. Obtain a new sharps container! FREE!

Environmental Health Services also inspects, permits, and investigates any complaints associated with facilities that generate, transport, and/or treat biomedical waste in Hillsborough County or dispose of the waste improperly.

If you have any questions concerning any of our programs, call 813-307-8059, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Where do I dispose used needles and syringes?

The Sharps Disposal Program is for the private sector only. All professionals and businesses are regulated under state and federal biomedical waste laws, and may not participate.

Advent Health Carrollwood
7171 N Dale Mabry Highway,
Tampa, FL 33614
One-Day Surgery Main Entrance
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday – Friday

HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital
2901 W Swann Ave.,
Tampa, FL 33609
Information Desk – Main Lobby
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday – Friday (except Holidays)

St. Joseph’s Hospital
3001 W Martin Luther King Blvd.,
Tampa, FL 33614
Habana Security Station #3
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday

St. Joseph’s Hospital – North
4211 Van Dyke Road,
Lutz, FL 33558
Drop Box by ER
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday

St. Joseph’s Hospital – South
6901 Simmons Loop,
Riverview, FL 33578
Drop Box by ER
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday – Friday

South Bay Hospital
4016 Sun City Center Blvd,
Sun City Center, FL 33573
Materials Management Dept
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday – Friday

South Florida Baptist Hospital
3202 N. Park Road,
Plant City, FL 33563
Drop containers at the ER
8 a .m – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday

Tampa General Hospital – Davis Island
1 Tampa General Circle, Room D-107,
Tampa, FL 33606
Central Processing
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
7 Days A Week

Disposal Rules

  1. Attempt to use the disposal site only during the hours listed
  2. Only approved, properly sealed, sharps containers will be accepted
  3. Give container to authorized personnel only – never leave unattended