Martin County Health Department

USED SHARPS DISPOSAL PROGRAM

What are “SHARPS”?

 

“Sharps” are defined as items having the potential to puncture or lacerate. These include syringes with attached needles and disposable lancets. Residents in Martin County use sharps for diabetes management and other diseases. Pets sometimes require injections by their owners. Without a program to ensure that sharps are properly disposed, millions of sharps would enter the Martin County landfill annually.

 

Sharps that are thrown into the trash can:

 

• Cause injury to workers who collect solid waste.
• Threaten public safety by exposing the public to injury and/or disease.
• Clog sewers and lift stations.

About our Program:

 

The Martin County Health Department provides approved red containers for disposal of used sharps. There is a nominal fee. The Health Department is open 8 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Sharps may be brought to the Environmental Section of the Stuart office or to our Indiantown office at 16401 SW Farms Road.

 

Our program provides a safe way to dispose of used needles and other sharps. The official red containers provide a safe and easy way for homeowners to store their used sharps until they can bring them to our office for disposal.

 

How you can participate:

 

Follow the procedure below for using your sharps container. Return the sealed container to the Martin County Health Department.

                       

Note: This program is being provided for the private sector only. Professional offices and businesses are regulated under state and federal biomedical waste laws and may not participate.

 

Procedure for using the approved red container:

 

• After normal injections or a blood test, dispose of sharps into the box.  
• Do not attempt to retrieve sharps after they have been placed in the box.  
• Do not overfill the sharps container.
• Store the container out of reach of children and pets.