Storing and Disposing of Sewing Needles
Leah RybakDescription
Leah Rybak shows you how to safely and properly dispose of broken needles. Find out how useful old medicine bottles or small shampoo containers can be when storing new needles or disposing old and broken ones.
Related Article: Essential Sewing Tools and Supplies
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5 Responses to “Storing and Disposing of Sewing Needles”
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Putting broken sewing needles in a plastic pill container with a child-proof lid is one way to recycle them safely so they don't harm the people sorting recyclables. The steel in sewing needles is recyclable. Putting anything sharp (sewing needles, nails, screws, razor blades, etc.) "naked" in your recycling bin could harm the people sorting the recyclable materials along a conveyor belt.
I like using TicTac containers for storing used needles because they’re very easy to open and close.
Placing new needles in something where they will freely move around is bad, the points can get damaged and then they're useless. Never remove NEW sewing machine needles from their packages to put into containers, it's impossible to know the different TYPES, e.g. universal, stretch, jeans, etc. by sight.
Thank you for the great idea. Disposing of needles and pins have always been a worry. I would weave in folded TP, but keeping a bottle around for them is so much more satisfactory. Also for the storing of open needle packs. I do suggest putting a bit of cotton ball in the bottom to protect the tips from being damaged by sliding back and forth in the bottle. Blunted needles and pins can damage expensive fabrics.
I use empty spice containers. I like the can type. I just pop open the side with small holes and the needle slips right in.