City of Cleveland PRINT
City
Service Department: (216)664-3711
The City of Cleveland provides weekly curbside recycling for residents. Combine cans; cardboard; cartons; cups (aluminum, paper, and some plastic); glass bottles and jars; paper and boxes; plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs; as well as clear plastic clamshells loose (unbagged) in the provided wheeled cart. For issues or complaints, visit www.clevelandohio.gov/311. See the list below for detailed recycling and collection programs in Cleveland.
Needles and Sharps
With proper precautions, sharps and needles from home injections can be placed in a rigid plastic container, sealed securely, and placed in the trash.
Hypodermic needles and other medical sharps pose a significant health threat to recycling and sanitation workers and should NEVER be put in your curbside or drop-off recycling container.
Some healthcare providers and medical facilities offer takeback programs for needles and sharps; check with your medical professional. Additionally, mail-back programs are available from WM and Republic Services
Sharps Containers at Home
Used needles, sharps, and lancets may be placed in the regular trash if precautions are followed. Use an FDA-cleared sharps container to protect your family members, health workers, and sanitation workers before disposing of sharps. These containers are widely available at pharmacies and other retail stores. The precautions are designed to protect sanitation workers and other workers in the waste industry from being stuck by a needle.
- Place used needles and syringes in a Sharps container or a heavy, rigid plastic container with a sealable lid such as a plastic laundry detergent bottle with a screw top.
- Close the lid and seal the lid with heavy-duty tape.
- Write "CAUTION: SHARPS. DO NOT RECYCLE." on the container.
- Place the sharps container in your regular trash. In the state of Ohio, it can be included in your regular trash pick-up. Do not place the container with your recyclables.
Helpful Websites
U.S Food & Drug Administration: Safely Using Sharps (Needles and Syringes) at Home, at Work and on Travel
Nationwide Children's Hospital: Sharps Containers at Home
Ohio EPA: Guidance for Disposal of Household Generated Sharps
SafeNeedleDisposal.org
Proper Disposal of Medication
Learn how to dispose of medications.
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Looking to recycle, donate, or dispose of other items? Use the dark blue 'What Do I Do With?' search bar at the top of every page of this website. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.