IMPACT Installs Disposal Kiosks to Reduce Sharps Litter

WOOD COUNTY, WI (OnFocus) – Wood County has four new locations available where the public can safely and securely dispose of household sharps, including hypodermic needles and syringes with needles, thanks to the work of Healthy People Wood County- IMPACT.

These efforts are in response to reports of used needles littering streets, sidewalks, parking lots, parks, and other public places. Sharps are medical devices that can puncture the skin such as hypodermic needles, syringes with needles, lancets, and auto-injectors.

These items may be used at home, at work, or while traveling. Some bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis C can survive on dry surfaces and equipment for up to six weeks, so it is important to use proper safety equipment when handling or discarding sharps. If sharps are thrown in the trash or recycling, they can put sanitation workers at risk and cause equipment problems.

When sharps are left outside on the ground, they put other people, including children and animals at risk. It is important to properly dispose of sharps to prevent injuries and the spread of infections. Personal sharps disposal containers are available at the Wood County Health Department, 3rd Floor, Wisconsin Rapids. Full sharps containers (including laundry detergent bottles) can be brought to the Wood County Health Department for proper disposal.

“We receive a lot of calls around sharps litter,” said Jason Joling, Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department. “They create a potentially hazardous situation for emergency responders and pedestrians. We hope that these new disposal options will greatly reduce the number of improperly discarded sharps.”

The four new sharps disposal locations include:

• River Block Building, Wisconsin Rapids (1st Floor)
• Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo
• Robinson Park, Wisconsin Rapids
• Braem Park, Marshfield

Additional sharps disposal options are available for household sharps at Aspirus Doctors Clinic, Aspirus Riverview Hospital, LifePoint at Wood County Health Department, Marshfield Medical Center, and Marshfield Police Department.

Additional resources can be found at the website: bit.ly/narcanwoodcounty.

“This is a great example of community collaboration,” said Jacob Wagner, Public Health Strategist with Wood County Health Department. “We see amazing things happen that lead to positive health outcomes when our community partners work together toward a common goal. These sharps disposals would not have been possible without the help of numerous community partners including local businesses, cities, healthcare, law enforcement, EMS, and community residents. It takes all of us.”

IMPACT is the substance use work of Healthy People Wood County, a partnership of Wood County residents, professionals, and youth working toward a common goal to improve health in our communities.

The mission of IMPACT is to create a safe and healthy Wood County for all by preventing youth substance use and reducing adverse effects of substance use in an environment that fosters recovery.

Those who are passionate about supporting substance use prevention, harm reduction, and recovery efforts in Wood County are invited to join IMPACT. Visit www.healthypeoplewoodcounty.org, or contact Jacob Wagner at 715-421-8907 or email [email protected].

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