Abstract: A surgical needle discard container which includes a plurality of needle receiving compartments defined therein. A lid is rotatably attached to one end of the container to block access to compartments not in use. An aperture defined in the lid provides access to one of the compartments. The aperture is selectively aligned with each compartment as the lid is rotated relative to the container by an advancing mechanism. A cutting device associated with the lid and container severs the portion of a suture that extends beyond the end of the container from a needle disposed in one of the compartments by rotating the lid relative to the container.