Put your sharps or needles in a sturdy, plastic container that you purchase, or use a sturdy plastic container (like a laundry detergent bottle) that you already have at home. The container should be leak-proof and have a lid that cannot be punctured by the sharps.

Caution: Don't use clear containers such as milk jugs as they are too thin and can be punctured. Don't use glass containers, either, since they break easily.
 
FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers are generally available through pharmacies, medical supply companies, health care providers and online.

The FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers are made from rigid plastic and come marked with a line that indicates when the container should be considered full, which means it's time to dispose of the container. 
 

For the sharps container and the heavy-duty plastic container, take a strip of duct tape and wrap around the lid. This adds a layer of protection to prevent any hazardous materials leaking out and it seals any space that might be left between the rim of the lid and the bottle.

Next, label the outside of the container using a permanent marker! You can use words like: used sharps, needles, "DO NOT RECYCLE" or "Biohazard."
 

Place the secured and labeled container safely in your trash,  never in your curbside recycling container.