Spring born pairs are often vaccinated prior to pasture turnout. One of the important things to do whenever livestock are vaccinated or receive other injectable treatments is to make sure to properly dispose of used needles and surgical blades. Loose needles thrown in the trash present health and safety risks for those in your operation and beyond. Having a designated sharps container on the ranch is an essential tool. A heavy-duty plastic sharps container can be purchased, or an empty laundry detergent bottle, or similar heavy plastic puncture resistant container can have a second life as a sharps container. Beverage containers, aluminum cans, coffee cans with snap on lids, glass jars, plastic bags or plastic milk jugs should not be used as sharps containers. If using a repurposed container, make sure to save the lid so that it can be replaced when not being actively used or for final disposal. Label the repurposed container so it is not mistakenly placed in recycling. On a windy day, the sharps container may need to be fastened to something solid to remain upright or sand or rocks in the bottom may be sufficient. When the sharps container is about two thirds full, replace the lid and seal with duct tape. Your sealed and labeled sharps container can go in the regular trash or taken to a specialize disposal location. More information on acceptable sharps storage containers and disposal options are available on the KDHE website .
