New Jersey Section 2C:36-6.1 – Discarding hypodermic needle or syringe.

New Jersey Law on Discarding Used Needles and Syringes

If you use needles or syringes at home for medical treatments like diabetes or other conditions, you need to be aware of New Jersey law 2C:36-6.1 about properly disposing of them. This law is meant to protect the public from the health hazards of discarded needles and syringes. Let’s take a look at what the law says and how to follow it.

What Does the Law Say?

New Jersey statute 2C:36-6.1 makes it a petty disorderly persons offense to improperly discard needles or syringes in a public place or somewhere accessible to others.

Specifically, the law says that you commit an offense if:

• You discard a hypodermic needle or syringe in a place accessible to other people, whether it’s a public or private place. This includes anywhere a trespasser could access it.
• And you failed to destroy the needle or syringe before discarding it.

So the main requirements are that you must destroy needles and syringes before throwing them away, and you can’t put them anywhere another person could accidentally come into contact with them.

What Does “Destroy” Mean?

The law defines destruction of a hypodermic needle as breaking the needle off the hub or mangling it.

To destroy a syringe, you must break the nipple off the barrel or melt the plunger and barrel.

The idea is that the needle or syringe must be damaged enough that it can’t be used again for injecting drugs intravenously.

Safe Disposal Options

While it’s illegal to just throw away untreated sharps in the trash, there are safe, legal ways to get rid of them:

• Use an approved sharps container – These puncture-proof containers let you safely accumulate used needles and syringes for proper disposal. When full, you can bring the container to your doctor, pharmacy, or hospital for them to dispose of.
• Ask your doctor – Some doctor’s offices will accept patients’ used needles and syringes, as long as you put them in a puncture-proof container first.
• Visit a syringe access program – These programs offer affordable sharps containers and safe disposal services.
• Use a mail-back program – Mail-back programs provide prepaid packaging to mail your sharps waste for proper disposal.
• Contact your local health department – They may know of syringe disposal options in your area.

The idea is to contain the used sharps securely until they can be incinerated or otherwise safely disposed of. This prevents injury or disease transmission.

Why Is Safe Disposal Important?

Discarded needles and syringes are more than just unsightly litter. They pose real health risks to the community:

• Needle stick injuries can transmit serious diseases like HIV, hepatitis, and more.
• IV drug users may retrieve discarded syringes to reuse. This spreads disease too.
• Children or pets could accidentally get stabbed by a loose needle and injured.

Safe disposal helps prevent these hazards. It protects sanitation workers, hotel staff, and the public from needle sticks. And it keeps syringes out of the hands of IV drug users.

What About Traveling With Syringes?

The law applies anywhere in New Jersey, even when visiting others. So you must properly contain and dispose of your sharps no matter where you are in the state.

When traveling anywhere by air, you should carry your needles and syringes in your carry-on baggage. Be sure to declare them to security personnel. Also bring your medication prescriptions and a doctor’s note.

These steps will help avoid hassles or confusion going through airport security with your medical supplies.

Penalties for Improper Disposal

Violating New Jersey statute 2C:36-6.1 by improperly discarding needles or syringes is a petty disorderly persons offense.

If convicted, penalties can include:

• Up to 30 days in jail
• Fines up to $500
• Community service
• Probation

The state takes this issue seriously because of the public health impacts. So follow the law on used needle disposal.

Be Responsible

If you use injectable medications at home, be a responsible member of your community. Always destroy and contain sharps before disposal. Use approved containers and programs to discard them safely.

Taking these steps protects yourself, your family, and everyone else from the harm discarded needles can cause. It’s a small inconvenience that makes a big difference in public health.