Originally Posted by grammy Dwynn
If you have a 'strawberry' pin cushion, the little strawberry has something (I'm not sure what it is) that will sharpen your pins. When I have a stubborn pin, I stab it a couple of time in the little strawberry and lo and behold it works so much better. If that does not work, then into the container(trash) it goes.
I never throw pins or blades in the trash, without them going into a 'safety' container first. I keep a old altoids box next to my sewing machine just for them.
The something you're referring to, is emery, same as the usefull stuff on an emery board(cardboard nail file). Very useful for helping to sharpen blunt pins and needles.
And you're all correct, old pins/needles should go the way of a "sharps"bin, be it at the local doctors office, hospital or dentist. Over here, we are fined if there are any sharps in our garbage bins.