Sharps Disposal Program

An individual home user generates sharps as a result of self-injection or injection by a family member for the treatment or control of an illness such as diabetes, allergies or for another legitimate purposes.

“Sharps” are defined as a device with physical characteristics having the potential to puncture, lacerate or otherwise penetrate the skin. These may include contaminated hypodermic needles, syringes, disposable scalpel blades, intact or broken glass and/or hard plastic.

Medical Waste from private residences is becoming increasing disposal problem.

Sharps that are thrown away can cause many problems:
They puncture solid waste containers and place workers along collection routes and at landfills at risk, or clog sewer lift stations. If not properly disposed of Sharps end up at recycling centers among the cans and plastics. Used sharps have the potential to transmit Hepatitis, HIV and other potentially fatal diseases if the original user was infected.

To ensure that there is a minimal risk to the public and the environment from any biomedical material/waste, the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County along with the Charlotte County Environmental and Extension Services sponsor the Used Sharps Depository Program.

Sharps should be placed directly into a vertical Sharps container (rigid, leak-proof, one-way puncture resistant container) without recapping, clipping or breaking. Containers should be labeled with the Biomedical Symbol, name, address and date container was put into use.

The container should be disposed of within 30 days of when it is ¾ full.

There are three locations for Charlotte County and the city of Punta Gorda residents to pick up new and drop off used sharps containers:

Residents can go to the County Mini-Transfer Facilities during their regular hours or the Punta Gorda Fire Department.

 

This service is for residents only, businesses cannot participate. If you are unable to drive to the collection, call 941.764.4360.