Amid the varying state definitions on contents and disposal of red-bag waste, health officials in the three-state area agree that needles should be separated from syringes, broken or bent, and disposed of in puncture-proof containers.

Needles are rendered harmless, then placed in puncture-proof containers, and put in red-bag trash.

Needles and sharp objects should be disposed of in puncture-proof containers, and the containers should be kept out of reach of children and visitors.

Throw away only the needle in a puncture-proof container.

When handling used syringes, pick them up by the barrel and carefully drop them into a puncture-proof container.

Those needles can also be discarded as ordinary waste, but the Department of Environmental Conservation recommends that they be placed in rigid, puncture-proof containers such as jars or cans.

Throw away used needles and syringes in a puncture-proof container.

Throw away the used items in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it).

After giving your injection, throw away used the used needle and syringe in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it).