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Needle and Syringe Programs

Although the risk of contracting diseases through injuring yourself with a discarded needle is extremely low, it is important that appropriate care is taken when handling and disposing of them.

What do I do if I find a discarded needle?

If unsure, do not touch the sharp. Contact our Environmental Health team during business hours for advice on 03 6424 0511.

  1. If found on public land call us for collection between 8am-5pm or call Tasmania Police radio room on 131 444 for out of hours.
  2. If found on private property, it is the responsibility of the owner to dispose of the sharps in the appropriate manner, which may mean contacting a commercial operator at their own expense.
  3. If bags of garbage that may contain sharps are found on private property do not attempt to sort the garbage from the sharps, contact us or a commercial contractor at your own expense.

* Tell children never to pick up a needle and to tell an adult.

For more information go to the Australian Government Department of Health website.

Safe disposal of sharps

To protect the health of the community and personnel involved in waste collection and disposal, sharps must be disposed of safely. Sharps cannot be disposed of in kerbside garbage or recycling bins and must be disposed of at designated locations in approved containers.

Any business needing to dispose of sharps must contact a licensed controlled waste operator as community sharps bins are provided for individual use only. 

Devonport City Council does not collect sharps found on privately owned property.

Devonport residents can obtain sharps disposal units free of charge from Service Tasmania on the ground floor of the paranaple centre on weekdays between 9am-4pm (excluding public holidays).

Sharps disposal units can be discarded at the Sharps Dispensing Unit on the ground floor of the multi-storey carpark park near the Fenton Way entrance/exit. They can also be handed in to the Spreyton Waste Transfer Station.

Sharps disensing program

The Department of Health –  Tasmanian Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) is a public health initiative to minimise the spread of blood borne viruses HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C among injecting drug users and to the wider community.

A Sharps Dispensing Unit is located on the ground floor of the Multi-level carpark park near the Fenton Way entrance/exit, which dispenses packs of sharps and small disposal units at a small cost. Find other dispensing locations on the Department of Heath website: Needle and Syringe Program | Public Health (dhhs.tas.gov.au)

 

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