Cass County Health System is reminding residents that they provide free sharps disposal service for Cass County residents. Sharps containers are used by individuals who use needles, lancets or other sharp objects for medical care, such as insulin injections for diabetes. The red, rigid containers are sealed and are puncture and leak resistant. The disposal of sharps and sharps containers is regulated as medical waste. Other types of containers, milk jugs, detergent bottles, or other plastic containers or boxes are not allowed when disposing of needles.

The CCMH disposal program ensures that sharps and sharps containers are disposed of properly and safely, in accordance with regulations. Cindy Petty, CCHS Materials Management Director, says “We are pleased to provide this service. This is just one small way we can help to protect the health and safety of our community.”

Full sharps containers can be brought to the CCHS Materials Management Department from 8:00 am -4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. There is no fee to drop off a full container. At the time of disposal, a new container can be purchased for only $3.00. Sharps containers must be returned to an employee in Materials Management – they should not be left unattended or disposed of in trash or other containers in the facility.
The red sharps containers should be used only to dispose of sharps (needles, lancets, or other sharp objects) and any item a sharp is attached to that cannot be safely removed. They should not be used to dispose of cotton balls, strips, or bandages, or medications of any kind.

For more information about the CCMH sharps disposal service, including how to participate if the $3.00 fee is a problem, please contact Cindy Petty at 712-243-7480.