Reminder for Waukesha County Residents: Safe, Accessible Medical Sharp Disposal Options Available

Waukesha County would like to remind residents that there are a variety of easy, safe ways to properly dispose of their medical sharps. December is International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month and Wisconsin medical waste rules require safe management and disposal of sharps to prevent accidental needle sticks and other sharps injuries.

“Medical sharps, such as needles and lancets, create hazardous situations for curbside collection crews and recycling facility workers when they are disposed of improperly,” said Analiese Smith, Waukesha County Recycling and Solid Waste Supervisor. “We want to make sure workers, who are providing a service to us all, remain safe.”

Incorrect disposal of medical sharps is illegal and residents should be aware of and utilize options for proper disposal.

Safe Sharps Disposal Options

• Take sharps to a registered collection station. To find a site in Waukesha County go to www.waukeshacounty.gov/recycling and click on Residential Product Disposal, then click the Medical icon.
• Use a "mail-back" sharps program, which can be found by searching the internet. The company should provide containers and packaging which meet U.S. postal regulations.
• Contact your pharmacy, doctor, clinic or local hospital; many health care facilities accept sharps but are not legally required to register, therefore, may not appear on the list of registered sharps collection stations.

More Information About Sharps Disposal

For more information, disposal publications and other locations for safe disposal of medical sharps in Wisconsin visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/HealthWaste/HouseholdSharps.html