Syringe Disposal

If you are an insulin-injecting diabetic or on dialysis at home and need to dispose of syringes you can do so at any of the following pharmacies or Council's Customer Service Centre.

Before delivering your syringes please make sure they are in a proper plastic sharps container, or at least a rigid plastic drink container with a screw top (like a milk bottle or juice bottle).  

• Tim Perry's Pharmacy - 180A Merrylands Road, Merrylands
• Holroyd City Council - 16 Memorial Avenue, Merrylands
• Denis Green Pharmacy - Shop 16, Oakes Shopping Centre, 74 Hawksbury Road, Westmead
• Bokeyar's Pharmacy - 113 Pendle Way, Pendle Hill
• Soul Pattinson Chemist - Picadilly Centre, Aurelia Street, Toongabbie
  

Unfortunately it is becoming increasingly common for discarded used syringes to be found in public places including street gutters, parks, playgrounds, bus shelters and public toilets.

If you find a syringe don't touch it. Telephone 9840 9840 (24 hours) and ask for an Ordinance Inspector. They are experienced in the safe disposal of used syringes and are equipped with safety tongs and proper receptacles to collect syringes.

Holroyd Council’s Ordinance Inspectors are on duty seven days per week. Council’s telephone number is answered by our answering service after normal business hours and on weekends. Your request for the removal of a syringe will be conveyed to an Ordinance Inspector who will either attend at that time or will telephone you back to take details and notify you when it will be removed.

Don't panic if you accidentally injure yourself on a discarded syringe. HIV and the hepatitis virus cannot live long outside the body and the syringe has usually been discarded for some time.

• Wash the area around the puncture for at least 30 seconds with soap and warm water and cover with a band-aid.
• Notify Council’s Ordinance Inspector of the location of the syringe on 9840 9840.
• Immediately seek advice from your local medical practitioner or hospital emergency department.