Safe Sharps Program
The Problem
Each year, some 8 million home syringe users administer at least 3 billion injections outside of traditional health care facilities. The vast majority are “at home” injections for diabetes, allergies, arthritis, migraines, HIV and other medical issues.
These needles are then tossed into the public solid waste systems – trash cans, old milk cartons and plastic bottle; flushed down the toilet; or discarded in ways (often unknowingly) that pose a serious risk of injury, infection and contamination to people and the enviornment when containers break open or are mistakenly sent to the wrong facilities. The headlines are filled with horror stories of janitors, housekeepers, beachgoers, even children who have been seriously injured by discarded needles. Many other people have come in contact with used needles on sorting stations of your local waste management centers before going to the landfill. These individuals are unnecessarily placed at risk.