1. Walk the grounds
For outdoor spaces, the crew walks fence lines, planters, corners and bushes where needles collect.
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA · Clarke County
Found a needle or syringe in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)? Stay back, keep children and pets away, and call (877) 812-4220. A cleanup team can search the area, collect every sharp and dispose of it safely.
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.
Need careful syringe removal in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) or nearby communities in Clarke County? Call Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) Biohazard Cleanup Help. Cleanup technicians follow the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, when sharps are involved, so you do not have to touch them.
Renters make up about 59% of households in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), so landlords and property managers often need a sharps sweep after a move-out. After a needle stick, wash with soap and water and get medical care. St Mary's Hospital in Athens is the closest emergency room to Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance).
The work often covers:
For outdoor spaces, the crew walks fence lines, planters, corners and bushes where needles collect.
Sharps are separated from other items so soft goods are not handled until the sweep is done.
Sharps go into labeled containers without being recapped, bent or picked up by hand.
After the last walk-through, the owner can reopen the area to tenants, customers or family.
The cost of needle & sharps cleanup in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA depends on the amount of material, how it is packed and how it is hauled.
The size of the area is a major factor. A small patch of yard takes less time to search than a multi-room unit, a vacant building or a large lot.
| Type of job | Typical range |
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Estimates only, not a quote. Sources: . 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 to talk through the job.
Try the Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) Biohazard Cleanup Cost Calculator →
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.
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.
Yes. Dogs and cats may sniff, chew or step on sharps. Keep pets away from the area until a cleanup team has searched it. If a pet is stuck or swallowed something, call a veterinarian right away.
In many cases the person who calls does not need to be at the property. Ask the team how access and keys can be arranged. Many teams can also arrive in an unmarked vehicle, so ask about that if privacy matters to you.
A small yard or single room can be quick, while a building or large lot takes longer. Clutter, hidden spots and the amount of sharps affect the time. A cleanup team can give a realistic idea once it hears the details.
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.
See all biohazard cleanup services in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA →
Describe what you saw and where, and the team will explain the next step.
Call (877) 812-4220