Courthouse Installs New Medication and Sharps Disposal Units for Public Use

NEILLSVILLE, WI (OnFocus) – Clark County residents now have a new option for disposing of unused medications and used sharps devices such as needles, lancets, syringes, infusion sets, and auto injectors.

In mid-August, one medication disposal unit and one sharps disposal unit were installed within the secured entrance of the Clark County Courthouse in Neillsville (Door B103 located off of E. 6th St.).

The intent of these units is to promote public safety and fill a gap in services. They are accessable Monday-Friday from 7:00AM-4:30PM. Each disposal unit is tamper-resistant and functions similar to an outdoor mail receptable—in that indivdiuals open a compartment on the front of the unit, place their unwanted materials inside, close the compartment, and then let the materials fall down through a chute and into an internal collection bin. It should be noted that the opening of each receptacle only measures 4 inches by 13.5 inches.

Wisconsin law requires everyone to dispose of sharps separately from other waste. This minimizes the risk for injury and prevents the potential spread of infections. Prior to disposal, all needles, lancets, syringes, and other sharps should be placed inside small puncture-proof containers. Coffee cans and laundry detergent bottles will not fit into the narrow opening of the new sharps unit.

Appropriately-sized (1-quart) biohazard containers are located on a cart next to the new sharps disposal box, and are free to the public. These same containers are also available at the following locations throughout the county: Abbotsford City Hall/Public Library, Colby Community Library, Loyal Public Library, Thorp Public Library, and Owen City Hall. An additional public sharps disposal box is located outside Owen City Hall and is accessible 24/7.

Products that are not appropriate for neither the sharps disposal unit nor the new medication disposal unit include aerosol cans, thermometers, inhalers, liquids, garbage, lotions, or hazardous chemicals. Prior to disposing of any unused or outdated medications, all personal information should removed from pill bottle labels or packaging. If it is too difficult to do this, pills can be dumped into Ziploc-like bags for disposal.

Additional Clark County sites for medication disposal include the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Colby-Abbotsford Police Department, Loyal Police Department, or Thorp City Hall. For additional information or hours of operation, please visit the Clark County Health Department’s “Resources” page at https://www.clarkcountywi.gov/ph-resources.

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