There are safe ways to dispose of syringes left on the ground and at home. You can now dispose used needles and syringes into sharps disposal drop boxes at two locations in Ontario and one in Vale:

• Outdoors, drop off 24/7:
  • Valley Family Health Care, 789 Washington St W, Vale, OR 97918
  • Mallard Grocery, 797 N Oregon St, Ontario, OR 97914
• Indoors, drop off during business hours:
  • Malheur County Health Department, 1108 SW 4th Ave, Ontario, OR 97914

For more disposal options or if you have questions, contact the peer dispatch team at 541-709-8539.

Safety Tips

• Avoid touching or handling needles or syringes found in public places. Parents and caregivers should remind children not to touch needles in parks and playgrounds.
• If you are accidentally stuck by another person’s used needle or other sharp:
  • Wash the exposed area right away with water and soap or use a skin disinfectant (antiseptic) such as rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. 
  • Seek immediate medical attention by calling your provider right away or going to your local hospital emergency department. Providers will check your immunization status and may begin preventative treatment.
• Personal safety tips for disposal:  DO’s and DON’Ts: Safe Disposal of Needles and Other Sharps Used At Home, At Work, or While Traveling (FDA)

How do I safely dispose of a syringe?

Follow this step by step guide about how to safely pick up and dispose of syringes.

Step 1: Pick it up

To avoid health risk wear gloves like gardening or kitchen gloves. Some people use tongs, pliers, or a trash grabber. This is a good idea, especially for anyone who is going to pick up a lot of syringes or who is doing a community clean up. 

Step 2: Drop it in

• Use a hard plastic container such as a sharps container or 20oz water or juice bottle with a lid.
• Set the container on the ground
• Drop the syringes in one at a time needle point down

Step 3: Seal it up

• Close the container tight
• Seal the top with a piece of tape
• Label container “sharps do not recycle”

Step 4: Drop it off

Go to the nearest drop box and dispose of syringes one at a time to avoid potential harm.

If you have concerns or do not feel comfortable disposing of syringes, please call the peer dispatch number at 541-709-8539 and they will explain the disposal process or go to the location. 

Thank you for keeping our community safe.