Abstract: In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of a holder for receiving contaminated sutures, needles, sharps and other surgical instruments used during surgical operations, a reusable holder to enable an accurate method of counting the needles used during the surgery is disclosed. The holder includes a tray, a numbered adhesive strip mounted on the tray for receiving the sutures, needles and sharps and a gathering block for pressing the adhesive strip and the surgical instruments retained thereby into an accordion-like, fan-folded package for disposal. The holder is autoclavable and may be sterilized along with the other surgical instruments in the hospital autoclave. A retractable work surface which may be used in conjunction with the holder is also disclosed. The work surface is provided with a magnetic strip for organizing sutures, needles, sharps and other surgical instruments thereon.