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The Sharps Container Disposal and Exchange Program is open to anyone who uses injectable medications at home to treat a medical condition. For a non-refundable cost of $20 per person, participants receive up to 4 one-gallon size sharps containers and dispose of up to 5 approved sharps containers per membership.
Collected sharps will be turned over to a registered medical waste service disposal company. The disposal company will in-turn sterilize, shred, and properly dispose of the waste. Throwing medical waste into the sewer system or in with the regular trash, even if it is enclosed in an approved sharps container, is illegal, dangerous to sanitation workers, and potentially hazardous to the environment.
To sign up for the program, visit the Muskegon County Health Department, located at 209 E. Apple Ave. in Muskegon from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
Click here to view a program flyer.
Commonly Asked Questions
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What are sharps? |
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Sharps include needles, IV tubing with needles attached, scalpel blades, lancets, glass tubes and slides, and syringes. |
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What is an approved sharps container? |
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According to state law, approved sharps containers are rigid, leak-proof, puncture resistant, sealed and clearly marked with the biohazard symbol and the word “sharps.” The containers are usually red in color. |
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Where do I sign up for the program? |
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In the clinic waiting area at the Muskegon County Health Department, located at 209 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 |
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How much does it cost? |
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The membership fee is $20.00. |
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What do I get for $20.00? |
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You will receive up to 4 one-gallon sharps containers and be able to safely dispose of up to 5 sharps containers during your membership. |
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How long does a membership last? |
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Memberships expire one year from the date you join the program or when you have been given 4 containers and disposed of 5, which ever comes first. |
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What happens if I need more than 4 sharps containers a year? |
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You will need to renew your membership and pay another $20.00 fee. Your new membership will expire one year from the date you re-join the program. |
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Do you accept medical waste in containers other than approved sharps? |
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No. You must bring your waste to the health department in an approved container. Containers such as plastic bags, pop bottles, and laundry soap containers will not be accepted. |
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I am homebound. How can I participate in the program? |
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Each member is allowed to designate up to 4 individuals to pick up and drop off sharps containers for you. You will need to identify your representatives when you sign up for the program. |
For more information, call (231) 724-1250 or (231) 724-1293.
Other Sharps Disposal Resources
Muskegon Family Care patients can dispose of their sharps for free at all Muskegon Family Care locations. Sharps must be contained in a puncture proof container in order to be accepted. At this time, the program is open to Muskegon Family Care patients only. For more information on this program contact Nancy at 739-9315 ext. 1116.
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