How To Dispose Of Tattoo Needles- You Shouldn’t Throw Them Anywhere!
If you are a professional tattoo artist or doing a DIY tattoo at home, it is important how you dispose of your medical waste, which could be harmful to others. Tattoo needles are one of those medical wastes that could be dangerous and you should know how to dispose of them properly. So, how do you dispose of tattoo needles?
Sharps, like tattoo needles, should be thrown away in a sharps container with a lid. This is to make sure everyone’s health and safety are taken care of. Then you can put the sharps container, which is still sealed, in the medical/clinical waste bin so it can be picked up.
Stick with this article, which also covers other medical wastes and how to dispose of them.
Why Is It Important To Dispose of Tattoo Needles In A Certain Way?
Those who have never had to deal with spent tattoo needles before may be confused as to why they can’t just be discarded in the garbage. Needles used for tattoos are considered medical waste and must be disposed of in a specified manner.
Needles used for tattooing should be disposed of properly – When a needle is inserted into a person’s skin, it touches their blood. Diseases like HIV and hepatitis may be transmitted through the reuse of contaminated needles.
It’s dangerous to throw away discarded tattoo needles because someone might get hurt if they pick them up from the garbage and stick it in their skin. It’s particularly risky if the needle has been infected with blood or other body fluids.
Therefore, effective medical waste disposal is essential for the safety of both humans and ecosystems. Disease spreads, water systems are tainted, and landfills become polluted when medical waste is not disposed of properly.
What Are Tattoo Medical Waste?
The term “medical waste” refers to any kind of trash that comes from diagnosing, treating, or vaccinating people or animals. Instruments like needles, syringes, gauze, and bandages saturated with blood fall under this category.
It also includes microbiological and tissue specimens, as well as laboratory trash such as culture dishes and slides. Pharmaceuticals and other substances are also considered medical waste.
Generally, there are two types of medical waste:
Sharps
Sharps refers to anything sharp that has been used during the tattooing process. This, of course, includes any needles you use. But, it also includes any other sharp objects. For example, if you break a glass near or around your workstation or use a razor to shave the area, these should be disposed of as sharps.
Biohazard Waste
Infectious trash includes anything that might spread diseases, such as needles or blood. Used needles and bandages saturated with blood are examples of such objects.
As you can see, the definitions of medical waste and clinical waste may be synonymous in various nations. But their disposal should be treated carefully.
Incineration is the most prevalent procedure used by registered providers for disposing of medical waste. Incineration is burning biomedical waste at very high temperatures, reducing it to ash. Autoclaving, chemical disinfection, and landfilling are among more options for disposal.
Given that the tattooing procedure is very intrusive and the needles come into touch with human blood, it follows that tattoo needles should be treated as medical and/or hazardous waste.
How To Dispose of Tattoo Sharps (Tattoo Needles)
It’s probably obvious, but you should get rid of your used tattoo needles right away. This not only aids in keeping your workplace tidy, but also reduces the likelihood of damage. Here’s what you can do to get rid of tattoo needles in the safest way.
Using Sharp Box
To properly dispose of needles and other sharp items, a dedicated sharps box should be utilized. These containers are plastic and latch shut for storage security. That’s a good way to keep people from hurting themselves unintentionally. These boxes may be purchased at most tattoo parlors or online.
Needles used in tattooing may cause serious injury, as we’ve already discussed. Since this is the case, forceps should always be used to pick them up instead of your unprotected hands.
When working with them, it is essential to wear protective gloves at all times and to throw away the gloves after they have been used.
Keep your fingers away from the needle’s point, too. If you come into contact with it by mistake, you should wash your hands well and maybe seek medical assistance.
- Always use a dedicated, puncture-proof container. They will be less likely to do damage to anyone who comes into touch with them thanks to this measure. In addition, there has to be a symbol indicating that the sharps container is FDA-approved.
- Place the container where it will be easily accessible throughout the tattooing session so that any used sharps may be disposed of soon after use.
- Be mindful of the container’s capacity and don’t exceed it. Fill it up to the two-thirds mark, then close it tightly and throw it away. This will prevent the needles from falling out and accidentally stabbing someone. Fill the container, then secure the lid and label it.
- In a pinch, you may also use a plastic bottle with a screw-on cap in place of one of these containers. Make sure the container’s cover is secure, however, or the needles could escape.
- In any situation, the container should be clearly marked as a biohazard or a source of potential injury. Unfortunately, it is not the most secure method of disposal and should be avoided if at all possible.
- A sharps container is not only for tattoo needles, however. Anything that might cut or pierce the skin should be stored there. Among the tools in this category are razors, lancets, and scalpels.
What Other Tattoo Waste do You Need To Dispose of?
Everything else that is utilized in the process of getting a tattoo belongs in the medical waste category and should be thrown away in that manner rather than with the usual garbage.
Paper Wipes
Paper towels are an essential tool for every tattoo artist, both before and after a session. If paper towels have come into touch with blood or other body fluids, they must be put in a biohazardous waste bag and sent to a facility that is equipped to deal with such materials.
Rather than taking any chances, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Cotton swabs and alcohol wipes may be used in the same way.
Bed Covers
Changing the sheets on the beds between customers is a must. This aids in avoiding contamination and the subsequent spread of disease. When tattooing, it’s a good idea to have a variety of mattress protectors available. Saran wrap, barrier film, and adhesive medical film are all kinds of films that serve this purpose.
However, all of these films qualify as medical waste and must be discarded accordingly. This is due to the fact that they make contact with the client’s skin, which may be contaminated with blood and other physiological fluids.
Face Masks
While tattooing, artists should protect their faces by wearing face masks. This is done to shield them from any dust or other particles floating about in the air.
Discard your face mask after each usage, as per CDC guidelines. A plastic bag and a visit to the medical waste disposal services office will do this.
Gloves
Also, tattoo artists are expected to protect their hands by using protective gloves. If you wear gloves, you won’t get sick from touching blood or other biological fluids.
Whether you’re using latex or nitrile gloves, it’s important to throw them away after each tattoo session. To dispose of gloves properly, they must be placed in a sealed biohazard bag and never worn again.
Ink Cups
It’s important to remember to throw away the ink cups after each tattoo session. When getting a tattoo, the ink is stored in tiny receptacles called ink cups. They are often composed of plastic or paper and have a removable top.
Professional Disposal Service
These days, most regions have dedicated medical and sharps waste disposal services. In order to reduce the spread of blood-borne pathogens, these businesses collaborate with pharmacies, hospitals, and, naturally, tattoo parlors.
To avoid fines and penalties from local authorities, it is best to have a professional trash management firm take care of your biohazardous garbage.
You should check you local, state, and federal regulations before getting a tattoo since the rules might vary widely from nation to nation. If you break the law where you live, you might face a hefty fine or perhaps prison time.
Choosing Right Disposal Equipment
Having the proper tattoo disposal equipment is crucial for properly discarding your ink. Needless injuries may be avoided with the use of the needle disposal containers included as part of certain firms’ professional stick and poke tattoo kits.
FAQ
Is It Possible To Use Expired Needles?
You definitely shouldn’t use a needle that’s beyond its expiration date. A needle’s expiration date indicates that its sterility is no longer guaranteed by the manufacturer. Your risk of infection and other consequences increases as a result of this.
It’s important to properly dispose of a used needle after its useful life has ended. It is your responsibility to properly dispose of it in accordance with the laws and regulations in your area.
Remember that tattoo needles are single-use only! This is very risky and may result in devastating consequences for your health.
How Long Do You Need To Burn Needles For Sterilization?
When sterilizing a needle with fire or flame, it is essential to first wash your hands and the needle, then use a gripping instrument to pick up the needle and lastly hold the needle’s tip on the side of the flame for 15 to 30 seconds.
What Color Bin Does Go For Tattoo Needles?
Needles used for injections and other sharps that may have come into contact with medication or its remnants should be disposed of in yellow sharps containers. The color of a trash bin matters because different colors signify what types of equipment go where. For example, needles that take blood should be thrown in orange-colored bins.
Taking Away
Taking care of tattoo waste is an important responsibility for a tattoo practician. You need to make sure that you are not hurting anyone with your actions. So, how to dispose of tattoo needles?
The proper method to dispose of sharps like used tattoo needles is in a locked sharps container. This is for everyone’s own good, to ensure their safety and well-being. Then you may place the sealed sharps container in the medical/clinical waste bin for collection.
