Safe on-farm storage of unwanted medicines and sharps

This Factsheet was developed to provide producers with the resources they need to address the issue of safe storage of used or unwanted livestock medicines and sharps. Safe storage of unwanted medicines and sharps is recommended in the Livestock Medicines Education Manuals¹ (including the Swine Medicines Manual²) and in Worksheet #6 of the Environmental Farm Plan³.

This Factsheet is complementary to Factsheet 05-051, Responsible Disposal of Unwanted Medicines and Sharps. The charts on the back of these Factsheets are useful to you when they are displayed in a prominent location such as a bulletin board or refrigerator where medicines are kept (strip magnets with adhesive on one side can be attached to this side of the Factsheet). We recommend that you laminate this Factsheet to keep information from fading and to make it easier to keep clean.

This Factsheet will remind you and your staff about what to do with unwanted medicines and sharps. Write the contact information for your commercial storage container company on the line provided at the bottom of the chart.

For information on where commercial storage containers can be purchased, contact your veterinarian or check the yellow pages under "medical equipment suppliers" or "laboratory equipment suppliers" or contact a commercial medical waste disposal company.

What Are Unwanted Medicines and Sharps?

Unwanted Medicines:

• Medicines or vaccines that have expired
• Medicines or vaccines you no longer need or want on the farm
• Medicines or vaccines that have been spoiled and should not be used on animals

Unwanted Sharps:

• Used and unused needles and scalpel blades
• Syringes with needles attached

How to Store Unwanted Medicines Safely - Never Fill Containers to the Top!

Commerical Containers

• Are leak-proof and resealable
• Have a free-swinging handle that keeps hands clear of the pail
• Come in a variety of sizes
• Are clearly labelled: "Non-Hazardous Waste"

Non-Commerical Containers

• Should be leak-proof with a resealable lid
• Could be empty paint containers or "picnic" coolers - remember to tape the valve shut on coolers
• Must have the lid replaced and sealed after each deposit
• Must be labelled with appropriate warnings

Figure 1. Sample disposal container for Non-Hazardous Waste.

How to Store Unwanted Sharps Safely - Never Fill These Containers to the Top!

Commerical Containers

• Are made of puncture-proof plastic
• Are leak-proof
• Have a free-swinging handle that keeps hands clear of the pail
• Have lids that lock
• Come in a variety of sizes
• Are clearly labelled: "Bio-Medical Waste"

Non-Commerical Containers

• Should be puncture-proof, leak-proof and have a resealable lid
• Are safest if made of metal, but must be protected from rusting
• Could be empty paint or juice cans
• Must have the lid on paint cans replaced and sealed each time sharps are deposited
• Must have the openings in juice cans plugged with pieces of rubber, wood or duct tape
• Must be labelled with appropriate warnings

Figure 2. Disposal container for sharps.

Where to Dispose Them While Waiting For Disposal

Storage Area

• Ensure storage area is dry
• Ensure storage area is locked to prevent access by unauthorized persons, children, livestock and pets
• Clearly label the locked storage area with "Do Not Use For Treatment"
• Use separate storage areas for wanted and unwanted medicines to reduce the chance of selecting the wrong product (e.g., expired medicine) for use in your livestock
• Do not use containers that can be punctured:
  • bleach bottles
  • teat dip jugs
  • udder wash jugs
  • similar plastic jugs
• Do not use containers that can be broken:
  • glass jars
  • ceramic containers

Why Worry About Safe Storage?

• Safe storage avoids injuries
• Safe storage avoids disease transfer to people, livestock and wildlife
• Safe storage avoids contamination of the environment with medicines

Table 1. Contact Information.

• Livestock Medicines Education Program
• Ontario Pork
• Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca