Household Pharmaceutical & Infectious Waste Disposal

Medication and Infectious Waste

Albuquerque Fire Rescue does not dispose of medications or infectious waste that has not originated from Albuquerque Fire Rescue stock during the course of patient care. 

View more information about disposing Household Hazardous Waste.

Needles in Public Spaces

For needles and sharps found in public spaces or on City property, residents have two options:

1. Call 311 to report it and someone will be dispatched to pick it up, although response times vary depending on who is available at the time.
2. Use the ABQ311 App on any smartphone or device and report it by selecting the "Needles" icon and filling out the information requested for the incident. The report will be emailed to the appropriate resource and someone will be dispatched to pick it up, although response times vary depending on who is available at the time.

Proper SHARPS Disposal by the Public using a SHARPS Drop Off Location

Put all household generated sharps (needles, lancets, and single razor blades) into a rigid plastic container such as an empty laundry detergent or bleach bottle.

• Do NOT use glass or coffee cans
• Clearly label the container "Contains Sharps" with a waterproof marker.
• Immediately put used syringes or lancets into the container.
• Screw on the top after each use.
• Don't clip, bend or recap the needles because you could injure yourself.
• Keep the container away from children!
• Add a few tablespoons of household bleach for added safety. (optional)
• Seal it with heavy-duty tape when the container is full.
• Take to a drop-off collection site or see trash disposal steps below.

Additional Proper SHARPS Disposal by the Public through their Trash Service:

• Put your homemade sharps container in a box.
• Clearly label the box as “Danger Sharps Inside.”
• Put with regular household trash.

Public SHARPS Drop Off Locations in Albuquerque

These collection boxes are for household, human sharps only (syringes which are used for human injections), NOT for veterinary clinics , medical practices, nursing homes, tattoo shops, acupuncture clinics, non-NMDOH Harm Reduction affiliated community organizations, etc.

• Southeast Heights Kiosk, 7605 Central Ave NE, 87108
• Tower Park Kiosk, 700 82nd St. NW, 87121
• Southwest Kiosk, Central and Coors SW Bus Stop, 87121
• Bel Air Park Kiosk, 3901 Phoenix NE & Belair, 87110

Additionally, these other locations will also accept SHARPS drop-offs:

• Midtown Public Health Office – 2400 Wellesley Ave NE, 87107:505-841-4100
• Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless – 1217 1st St NW, 87102: 505-766-5197
• Northwest Valley Public Health Office – 7704 2nd St. NW: 505-222-6500
• Transgender Resource Center of NM - 149 Jackson St. NE, 87108: 505-200-9086
• Casa De Salud (Just Healthcare) - 1608 Isleta Blvd. NW, 87105: 505-907-8311

Infectious Waste and SHARPS Disposal

Albuquerque Bio-Waste Disposal Companies (for Public and Private):

• Stericycle - 1920 1st St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 505-247-9454
• Logical Family Solutions - 7120 Bloodstone Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 505-821-9969
• WM of NM - Rio Rancho Division - 402 Industrial Park Loop NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
• New Mexico Sonographics - 431 Saint Michaels Dr # A, Santa Fe, NM 87505 505-984-0222