THE FACTS
Q:  What is a sharp?  What can I put in my sharps container?
A:  Any items used for medicine injections;  needles, syringes, or lancets

Q:  Where may I pick up a new personal sharps container?
A:  Sharps containers can be purchased at local pharmacies.  Please call (989) 773-9631 for     more information.
  

Q:  Do I have to have a prescription?
A:  NO

Q:  Can people from outside of Isabella County use this program?
A:  This program is limited to Isabella County residents

Q:  Where do I drop off my container?
A:  There are 8 drop off locations throughout the county:
    Blanchard:
        Rolland/Millbrook Township Fire Dept - Blanchard
    Clare:
        Wise Township Hall - 10509 N Loomis Rd
    Mt Pleasant:
        Commission on Aging -
3480 S Isabella
        Deerfield Township Fire Dept -
3032 S Winn Rd
        Mt Pleasant Public Safety Building - 804 E High

        Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Dept - 6954 E Broadway
    Shepherd:
        Shepherd Tri-Township Fire Dept - 410 N Chippewa
    Weidman:       
        Nottawa-Sherman Fire Dept -
6263 W Weidman Rd


Q:  How are the sharps disposed of:
A:  The sharps containers are disposed of by a medical waste disposal company that sends the sharps and containers through an autoclave process.  In this process, the sharps and containers are decontaminated with a high temperature steam treatment, melted down, and safely disposed of in a landfill.

Q:  How much will fit in my container?
A:  Most of the containers sold at pharmacies are 1.4 Quart and can hold up to 70-100 syringes.

Q:  Where should I store it in my home?
A:  The containers should be stored in a safe and stable location that is out of the reach of children and pets.

Q:  Can I put the sharps container in my recycling bin?
A:  NO.  The containers SHOULD NOT be placed in your recycling bin.  The full containers should be placed in one of the eight collection bins, located at drop sites throughout Isabella County.

Q:  Can I put the sharps container in my regular trash?
A:  NO.  The containers SHOULD NOT be placed in your trash.  The full containers should be placed in one of the eight collection bins, located at drop sites throughout Isabella County.

Q:  Can I put other containers filled with sharps in the collection bins?
A:  The safest way is to purchase designated sharps containers from a pharmacy.  Other containers must be leak proof, rigid, puncture-resistant containers labeled with a biohazard symbol or the words "sharps" or "medical waste" in letters not less than 1 inch high.  The containers should also be approximately 1 Quart as other containers may not fit in the collection drop boxes.  Individual sharps SHOULD NOT be disposed of in the collection bins as they are a risk to county employees.

Q:  Who should I contact if I have a stockpile of sharps?
A:  Please call 989-773-9631, or via
email.


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HOME
FACTS
WHAT ARE SHARPS?
THE PROBLEM
ISABELLA COUNTY'S SOLUTION
WHERE TO GET
PERSONAL
SHARPS CONTAINER
WHERE TO TAKE
FULL PERSONAL
SHARPS CONTAINER