There's a question that comes up often in the sewing community: what do you actually do with your old needles and rotary cutter blades when you're done?
Tossing them loose in the bin feels wrong - because it is. A needle or blade that works its way through a bin liner is a hazard for the person emptying your rubbish, for waste facility workers, and for anyone who happens to be nearby. So, how do we dispose of them safely?
The most practical approach for home sewists is to accumulate hand sewing needles, machine needles and rotary cutter blades in a a small, rigid, sealable container as you go. Having a designated container will make you more likely to dispose of needles as they get blunt, rather than letting them accumulate in a pin cushion. Popular options include:
- A yellow sharps container from your pharmacy
- An empty tin with a slot cut in the top- think Golden Syrup, Paprika - or a SOHMO tin
- A thick glass jar with a screw-top lid
- The original needle packaging, resealed with tape when full
Whichever option you choose, make sure the container is kept out of reach of children, and is clearly labelled 'used sharps'.
The good news is - needles and rotary cutters are very small, so you'll likely have your sharps container for years. When it is eventually full though, seal it securely. Sharps containers are accepted by many pharmacies as it can be disposed of with clinical sharps waste. It's worth ringing ahead to check your local pharmacy's policy.
Alternatively, the sealed container can be placed in your general waste bin. Do not put it in your yellow recycling bin - recycling in many Australian facilities is sorted by hand, and loose or loosely contained sharps are a serious risk to workers.
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Whether it's a hand sewing needle, a sewing machine needle, or a rotary blade:
- Never put sharps loose in any bin
- Use a rigid, sealable container to collect them until it's full.
- Seal and label the container clearly before disposal.
- Take the sharps container to your local pharmacy for disposal.Â
- Alternatively, a sealed container can be placed in your general waste bin. Recycling bin is not appropriate unless you've confirmed your council accepts sealed blade tins.
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