BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) –As more residents use GLP-1 medications and other injectable drugs at home, Brown County officials are warning that improper disposal of used needles and other sharps can put workers and the public at risk.
Brown County Public Health and Brown County Resource Recovery said residents should not throw capped or wrapped needles in the household trash, recycle needles because they contain plastic or metal, or flush needles down the toilet. Officials said those methods can be dangerous for sanitation workers, recycling staff, water treatment workers and others who handle waste.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says improperly discarded sharps can lead to accidental needlestick injuries. Loose needles can puncture garbage bags, containers can break open during collection, or sharps can be mistakenly sent to recycling facilities. Those injuries can expose workers to bloodborne pathogens that can cause potentially serious, life-altering infections.
Brown County officials said safe disposal helps prevent injuries and protects workers and anyone else who might come into contact with household waste.
The Brown County Household Sharps Disposal Program has more than 30 collection sites that offer free disposal for Brown County residents who use sharps, making safe disposal more accessible. Businesses that need sharps disposal were directed to use the appropriate link for more information.
Residents are advised to place used sharps in an approved sharps container. If one is not available, officials recommend using a strong, puncture-resistant container with a secure lid and attaching a sharps label, which is available at collection sites. The container should then be taken to a participating collection site. Officials said sharps should never be placed in the trash or recycling.
See the locations to dispose of household sharps: Household Sharps Collection Sites.
See details about businesses that produce less than 50 lbs. per month: Business Related Sharps Disposal.
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