Abstract: A lid for a medical waste container which receives sharps waste such as hypodermic needles. The lid has a closure hinged to the lid by a flexible strap and movable between first and second recesses in the lid. The first recess is closed and simply receives and retains the closure when the lid is open for depositing waste. The second recess has an opening through which waste can be deposited into the container. A temporary locking mechanism retains the closure in the second recess by a snap fit but allows the closure to be lifted from the second recess to open the container. A permanent locking mechanism, when actuated, locks the closure in the second recess permanently so that the container is sealed for autoclaving and cannot be reopened.