Sharps disposal in Ararat Rural City
Ararat Rural City Council is committed to keeping our residents, visitors, stock and pets safe by providing simple, free options for disposing of sharps safely. Sharps include items such as needles, syringes and lancets used for medical or veterinary purposes.
Where you can dispose of sharps
You can dispose of used sharps in a sealed yellow sharps container for free at several locations across our municipality. Please take your sharps in a secure, puncture-resistant container when travelling to any of these sites.
- Council Customer Service desk – Staff can accept sharps for safe disposal during normal opening hours.
- East Grampians Health Service (Ararat Hospital) – The hospital has facilities to safely dispose of sharps.
- Local chemists and pharmacies – Participating chemists will accept sharps over the counter for free disposal.
Free sharps containers
Free yellow sharps containers are available to help you store and transport sharps safely. You can collect these containers from the same locations that accept sharps:
- Council Customer Service desk.
- East Grampians Health Service (Ararat Hospital)
- Local chemists and pharmacies.
When your yellow sharps container is full, seal it according to the instructions on the container and return it to one of these locations for free disposal.
Sharps disposal in public toilets
All public toilets in Ararat Rural City are now fitted with sharps disposal bins for single-use disposal. These wall-mounted units allow you to safely dispose of a used needle or syringe immediately and then leave the facility safely.
What not to do with sharps
Incorrect disposal of sharps can seriously injure people and animals and poses a risk to our waste and parks staff, health workers and the wider community. To help keep everyone safe, please do not:
- Place loose sharps in household rubbish or recycling bins.
- Flush sharps down toilets or sinks.
- Dump sharps on roadsides, in paddocks, parks, playgrounds or public spaces.
- Dumped sharps are dangerous and can harm residents, stock and pets, as well as wildlife.
If you find a discarded sharp
If you find a discarded needle or syringe in a public place, do not touch it with your bare hands. If it is safe to do so, you can:
- Use tongs, pliers or thick gloves to pick up the sharp by the barrel (not the tip).
- Place it point-first into a rigid, puncture-resistant container with a secure lid.
- Take the container to Council Customer Service, the hospital or a chemist for disposal.
- If you are not comfortable handling the sharp, please contact Council to report its location so that it can be collected safely.
More information
For more information about sharps disposal services in Ararat Rural City, including opening hours and locations, please contact Council’s Customer Service team.