1. Make the area safe
Before any work, the area is marked off so no one steps into it by mistake.
University, Memphis, TN · Shelby County
Needles near a play area, a business entrance or a rental in University are a risk until they are gone. Call (877) 812-4220 for pickup, containment and disposal as regulated medical waste.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
A sharps sweep is a careful search of a home, yard, vehicle or building for discarded needles, followed by removal and disposal. One needle often means others are nearby, so the whole area is checked.
If your school, church or small business in University finds needles outside, you can get calm, step-by-step cleanup from University Biohazard Cleanup Help. Crews search, collect and dispose of sharps across Shelby County and explain what they found.
With a vacancy rate near 13% in Memphis, many owners check empty properties for sharps before repairs, sales or new tenants. If anyone is stuck by a needle, the nearest emergency room is Methodist Hospitals of Memphis in Memphis, about 3 miles from University. Call 911 in an emergency.
A typical needle & sharps cleanup job includes:
Before any work, the area is marked off so no one steps into it by mistake.
Crews put on protective gear and search the whole area, including corners, drawers and under furniture.
Each needle is picked up with a tool and dropped into a rigid, puncture-resistant container, then sealed.
The crew removes the containers, double-checks the space and answers questions before leaving.
The cost of needle & sharps cleanup in University, Memphis, TN depends on the amount of material, how it is packed and how it is hauled.
Timing can matter. A same-day need near a school or play area may be scheduled differently from a sweep planned for next week.
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Figures are planning ranges from , not a price for any specific University property. Price drivers include number of items, where they are found, whether a sweep of a large area is needed, waste disposal. Call (877) 812-4220 any hour.
Safer options exist. Many cities and health departments have programs for found needles and may give instructions or send someone. If you are unsure, do not touch it. Leaving a needle in place and keeping others away is safer than risking a stick.
Sometimes. Some homeowners and renters policies cover cleanup after a covered event, and many do not cover needles on their own. Call your insurance company before work starts, take photos from a safe spot, and keep every receipt. Check your policy rather than assuming.
The price depends on the size of the area, the number of sharps and access. A short sweep costs less than a full building. A cleanup team can give a real price after hearing the details, and it should explain what is included before work begins.
Lease terms and local law decide. A landlord, an attorney or a tenant rights group can say who is responsible. In many cases the property owner books the sweep first so the unit can be used again, and the cost is sorted out afterward.
Stay back and keep children and pets away. Do not pick it up. Note where it is and call the local health department or a cleanup team. If anyone is stuck or cut, wash with soap and water, get medical care, and call 911 in an emergency.
Yes, because children may pick up what they find. Teach children to stay back from any needle and tell an adult. If a child touches or is stuck by a needle, wash the area, get medical care and call Poison Control.
See all biohazard cleanup services in University, Memphis, TN →
Stay back, keep others away and let a cleanup team handle the sharps.
Call (877) 812-4220