FAQ's

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.