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Dispose of syringes and needles

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Needles and syringes must be disposed of safely in syringe (or 'sharps') containers.

Don't throw away sharps containers with general or recyclable rubbish, or green waste.

If you find a needle or syringe in a public space

If you find a discarded needle or syringe in a public place, either:

call the Victorian Needle and Syringe Disposal Helpline on 1800 552 355 (free call, 24 hours)
call Knox's Health Services team on 9298 8000

We aim to remove reported discarded syringes in public places within 24 hours.

If you think you can collect the syringe yourself, follow these instructions on how to do it safely.

Where to dispose of needles and syringes

Residents

Call the Victorian Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) Disposal Helpline on 1800 552 355 to:

get information on how to safely dispose of needles and syringes
arrange to drop off full sharps containers at an NSP location

We also offer a syringe container collection and disposal service to all residents within the municipality. You can pick up sharps containers from our customer service counter.

Drop off locations

Below is a list of drop off locations in Knox.

Check the Victorian Needle and Syringe Program web page for up-to-date locations.

Suburb	Address	Drop off hours
Bayswater	Bayswater Direct Chemist Outlet Shop 13 Mountain Highway Shopping Centre 7-13 High Street, Bayswater Phone: 9729 5110	Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 6 pm Saturday 9 am to 5 pm Sunday and public holidays 10 am to 4 pm
Bayswater	Direct Chemist Outlet - Knox Health G01 / 538 Mountain Highway, Bayswater	Monday to Friday 9 am to 5:30 pm Saturday 9 am to 1 pm
Boronia Heights	Boronia Heights Pharmacy Shop 3, 1096 Mountain Highway, Boronia Phone:9762 7588 Can drop off containers but must pay for a replacement	Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 8 pm Saturday 9 am to 3 pm Sunday 10 am to 3 pm
Ferntree Gully	EACH - Knox 1063 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully Phone:1300 003 224	Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm
Ferntree Gully	Hawkes Pharmacy Shop 10 Ferntree Gully Plaza 1200 Burwood Highway, Upper Ferntree Gully Phone: 9758 1082 Do not accept drop offs but can provide replacement containers	Monday to Wednesday 9 am to 6 pm Thursday to Friday 9 am to 7 pm Saturday 9 am to 5 pm Sunday 10 am to 4 pm
Wantirna South	Amcal Pharmacy 203 Stud Road, Wantirna South Phone: 9801 2111	Monday to Friday 9 am to 7 pm Saturday 9 am to 4 pm Sunday 10 am to 2 pm
Wantirna South	Knox City Council Customer Service Counter 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South Phone: 9298 8000	Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm

Businesses

If your business uses sharps for procedures or services, you must arrange for sharps disposal via a private contractor.

For more information on sharps disposal generated from commercial use, visit the Environmental Protection Agency.

Need help?

Or call our Health Services team on 9298 8000.