Mail-Back Program

Safe Sharps Program

The Problem

Each year, some 8 million home syringe users administer at least 3 billion injections outside of traditional health care facilities. The vast majority are “at home” injections for diabetes, allergies, arthritis, migraines, HIV and other medical issues.
These needles are then tossed into the public solid waste systems – trash cans, old milk cartons and plastic bottle; flushed down the toilet; or discarded in ways (often unknowingly) that pose a serious risk of injury, infection and contamination to people and the enviornment when containers break open or are mistakenly sent to the wrong facilities. The headlines are filled with horror stories of janitors, housekeepers, beachgoers, even children who have been seriously injured by discarded needles. Many other people have come in contact with used needles on sorting stations of your local waste management centers before going to the landfill. These individuals are unnecessarily placed at risk.

The Solution

MedSharps “Safe Sharps Mail-Back Program

MedSharps has provided a solution to the overwhelming problem that has plagued many innocent individuals: being stuck by contaminated needles. Through MedSharps “Safe Sharps Mail-Back Program”, individuals can purchase sharps containers of varying sizes and have these sharps containers mailed directly to their home or place of business… all with free return shipping. When the container is close to being full, simply go online and order another sharps container. Once the new sharps container arrives, place your full container in it’s pre-paid shipping box and call your local UPS to come pick it up. Once MedSharps receives the sharps container the contents will be treated and disposed of properly with no additional cost to the individual. Ready to get started? Browse our full shop to find the right container size for your home or facility.

What Is a Mail-Back Sharps Disposal Program?

A mail-back sharps disposal program lets you dispose of used needles, lancets, and other medical sharps safely from home, without making a special trip to a pharmacy or collection site. Instead of risking injury or environmental contamination by throwing sharps in household trash or flushing them down the toilet, you order a sealed, puncture-resistant container, use it until it’s full, and ship it back using a prepaid, pre-addressed box.

This approach is especially valuable for the millions of people managing diabetes, allergies, arthritis, migraines, HIV, and other conditions that require regular at-home injections. Sharps disposal by mail removes the guesswork and inconvenience from an activity that, done incorrectly, can seriously injure sanitation workers, housekeepers, children, and even beachgoers who encounter improperly discarded needles.

With a mail-back program, every step — from purchase to final treatment — is handled by a licensed provider, so users can be confident their sharps are disposed of legally and safely.

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States served

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Prepaid return

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Compliant packaging

How to Choose the Right Sharps Container Size (Buyer’s Guide)

Choosing the correct sharps container size depends on how often you inject, how many household members need disposal, and how much storage space you have available. Here’s a quick breakdown of MedSharps’ container options:

1.4 QUART

1.4 Quart Sharps Disposal System

Best for occasional or single-person use, such as someone managing an allergy condition with infrequent injections. Compact enough for a bathroom cabinet or travel bag.

1.2 GALLON

1.2 Gallon Sharps Disposal System (available as a single unit, 2-pack, or 4-pack)

The most popular size for one person using daily injections, such as insulin-dependent diabetics. The multi-packs are a convenient way to always have a replacement on hand.

2 GALLON

2 Gallon Sharps Disposal System (single, 2-pack, or 4-pack)

A good fit for households with more than one person requiring injections, or for anyone generating a higher volume of sharps waste per month.

3 GALLON

3 Gallon Sharps Disposal System (single or 4-pack)

Designed for multi-user households or caregivers managing sharps disposal for a family member.

5 GALLON

5 Gallon Sharps Disposal System

Suited to small home-care practices, visiting nurses, or households with significant ongoing medical needs.

18 GALLON

18 Gallon Sharps Disposal System

Built for higher-volume needs such as small clinics, group homes, or facilities that generate substantial sharps waste between pickups.

6 × 1.4 Quart Bundle

Ideal for anyone who prefers to stock up on smaller containers rather than committing to one large one.

Compare sizes

As a general rule: if you’re the only person in your household using needles a few times a week, the 1.4 Quart or 1.2 Gallon size is usually enough. If you inject multiple times per day, or more than one household member needs disposal, moving up to the 2 or 3 Gallon size reduces how often you need to reorder. Facilities or caregivers managing disposal for several patients should consider the 5 or 18 Gallon containers to minimize the number of shipments needed.

Six steps

How the MedSharps Mail-Back Process Works

Choose your container size

based on your usage needs (see the buyer’s guide above).

Receive your container

at home or at your place of business — every order includes a prepaid return shipping box.

Use the container

for your used needles and sharps until it reaches the fill line.

Order a replacement online

whenever your current container is nearing capacity, so a new one arrives before you run out of space.

Pack and ship the full container

in its prepaid box, then schedule a free pickup with your local UPS location.

MedSharps treats and disposes

of the contents in compliance with all applicable regulations — at no additional cost to you.

Because the return shipping is already paid for, there’s no need to track down a drop-off location or coordinate a special trip.
The entire cycle — order, use, ship, replace — is designed to fit into your existing routine.

MedSharps vs. CVS, Walgreens & State Take-Back Programs

Where each option lands on the four things people ask about most.

	Convenience	Availability	Cost	Best for
MedSharps Mail-back	Ships to your door and back — no trips, no appointments.	All 50 states, any address a carrier serves.	One flat price with return postage and treatment included.	Patients, clinics and practices that need documentation.
CVS & Walgreens	Drive to a participating store during open hours.	Select locations only; sharps often excluded.	Free when accepted, but you buy your own container.	Occasional disposal of unused medication.
State take-back	Scheduled events or fixed drop-off sites.	Rules and dates vary by county.	Usually free, with limits on what you can bring.	Residents with low volume and flexible timing.

MedSharps vs. CVS, Walgreens & State Take-Back Programs

Where each option lands on the four things people ask about most.

Convenience

Mail-back programs like MedSharps deliver containers directly to your door and pick up full containers via UPS, with no in-person drop-off required. Pharmacy take-back programs (such as those offered at select CVS or Walgreens locations) typically require you to transport a full, potentially leaking container to a physical store during business hours.

Availability

Not every CVS or Walgreens location participates in sharps take-back, and availability can vary significantly by state and even by individual store. State-run take-back programs often have limited drop-off sites, restricted hours, or seasonal collection events rather than year-round availability.

Cost

MedSharps’ mail-back service includes free return shipping and treatment in the container price. Some in-store take-back programs are free but limited in the volume they accept per visit; others may charge disposal fees depending on your state or municipality.

Best for

Pharmacy or state programs can work well for someone who generates a small amount of sharps waste and lives near a participating location. A mail-back program tends to be a better fit for anyone who wants predictable, at-home service without relying on store participation or hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still unsure which program fits? Our team answers in one business day.

It’s a service that lets you order a sealed sharps container, use it at home, and ship it back for professional treatment and disposal — all without visiting a physical drop-off location.

Most containers have a clearly marked fill line. Once your container reaches that line, it’s time to order a replacement and prepare the full one for shipping.

Regulations vary by state, but licensed mail-back programs are designed to comply with federal and state guidelines for medical waste transport and disposal. Check your state’s specific requirements if you have concerns about local rules.

MedSharps ships containers directly to your home and includes free return shipping, so you never need to transport a full container yourself. Pharmacy drop-off availability varies by location and isn’t guaranteed at every store.

Once your container arrives at MedSharps, its contents are treated and disposed of in compliance with applicable medical waste regulations, at no extra cost to you.

No — every MedSharps container includes a prepaid, pre-addressed shipping box, so return shipping is already covered in the price you pay upfront.

Yes. Larger containers like the 5 Gallon and 18 Gallon options are designed for higher-volume needs, including small clinics, group homes, or in-home caregivers managing sharps for multiple patients.