If you check your blood glucose levels or have injections to manage your diabetes, you will need to dispose of the used lancets (finger-pricking needles), insulin pen needles and syringes. These items are called sharps because they puncture your skin. You need to be careful how you dispose of them. Proper disposal of your sharps reduces the risk of harm to others and the environment. Always make sure your sharps are secured and disposed of in a strong, plastic, screw top container that is puncture proof. Use either: an Australian Standard sharps container a strong plastic container. There are safe and accessible options to dispose of your sharps including: public hospitals participating pharmacies community sharps disposal bins.