Duluth Police Offer Advice On Sharps Disposal

If you're on medication that requires you to inject yourself with a syringe, one of the questions you might have is where to dispose of these used items properly.  While there has been a lot of news coverage on the growing problem of illegal drug litter, there has also been a void of information for folks who take these legally-prescribed medications.

The Duluth Police along with their partners the Rural AIDS Action Network and the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District have addressed the issue with guidelines that can help.

It is illegal to dispose of sharps in household garbage or recycling within the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District communities - including Duluth, Cloquet, Proctor and Hermantown.  Here are the guidelines the cooperating agencies provide for disposal:

• Select a rigid plastic container with a screw-on lid.  Laundry detergent jigs work best as to the larger-size peanut butter jars.  Avoid thin plastics like milk jugs or pop bottles.
• Label the container "Household Medical Sharps" or obtain a free sticker from WLSSD to label the container.
• Carefully place needles, syringes, lancets, and ties in the container immediately after use.  When the container is full, secure the lid with heavy-duty duct tape./
• Bring the container to the WLSSD Household Hazerdous Waste Facility (HHW) during normal hours of operation for free disposal.

The Rural AIDS Action Network has donated containers to help facilitate safe disposal of sharps.  To obtain your free sharps container, contact the Rural AIDS Action Network at 218-464-8591.