Sharps and Needle Disposal Program

Since 2012 it is illegal to dispose of any needles, syringes and lancets, all referred to as sharps, in Massachusetts landfills. This means you can no longer throw out sharps in your household trash. Sharps must be placed in a proper container and brought to an appropriate sharps disposal program site.

  

The Amherst Health Department and the Department of Public Works sponsor a Safe Needle Disposal Program for Amherst, Pelham and Shutesbury residents. Residents of these communities who use syringes to manage their health care at home may purchase sharps containers at the Amherst Health Department or the Amherst Transfer Station.


Eligibility                                                                               This program is for residents of Amherst, Pelham and Shutesbury who use sharps at home, it does not include business use.

Cost
 A 2.5 quart containers are available for $5.00 each. The cost covers purchase and disposal at either of the two sites listed below. 

If you bring your own container there will be a pro-rated charge and there may be an additional cost.
    
Please bring exact fee or a check, sorry we cannot make change.

sharps

Program Hours and Locations


 Tuesday:       Transfer Station         8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Wednesday:  
Health Department    9:00 am - 12:00 pm 


Thursday: Transfer Station 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Saturday: Transfer Station 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
 
 
 Amherst Health Department
                            Amherst Transfer Station
Bangs Community Center - 1st Floor                 740 Belchertown Road                   
70 Boltwood Walk                                               Amherst, MA, 01002  
Amherst, MA, 01002                                           413-259-3050
413-259-3241  Town Vehicle sticker NOT required!
  
  
Click here for a printable Sharps Flyer, click here for a printable Sharps Tri-fold
 

 

    
epi pen
  

Epi-Pen Disposal

Most un-used epi-pens may be placed in a sharps container. Please call for any questions or for more information.

Using Other Containers

If the sharps are stored in a rigid, leak proof and puncture resistant container, they may be disposed of at the Amherst Health Department or the Amherst Transfer Station one time only. Please be sure to seal the container tightly with heavy tape. A fee will be charged to cover the cost of the biomedical waste disposal. The fee which is generally between $2.00 and $10.00 is determined by the size of the container.