SHARPS disposal box at RHSHC

CRESCO - Now individuals who have SHARPS materials, such as needles, lancets and scalpels, have a convenient place to get rid of them . . . at a 24-hour drop off receptacle located at the Regional Health Services of Howard County entrance.

RHSHC and the Board of Supervisors have partnered to make it convenient for locals to dispose of their SHARPS items in the correct manner.

After the Winneshiek County landfill stopped accepting SHARPS, it left a void for individuals. To fill that need, the Dept. of Public Health installed a receptacle in front of their office. In the first six months of usage, Winneshiek County had 400 pounds of SHARPS. 

That gave Gay Duroe, Director of Pharmacy at RHSHC, the idea to do the same in Howard County. Since incorrectly disposing of SHARPS materials is a Board of Health issue, she mentioned it at a meeting a couple months ago, of which Supervisor Pat Murray was an attendee. 

Murray didn’t hesitate to offer for the supervisors to pay for the receptacle. Duroe said the hospital would pay for the disposal fees.

The bright red receptacle is located near the entrance to the hospital, since the beginning of September. It was built by Alum-Line for less than $1,000. The yearly disposal fee is $80.

Duroe advices, “Use a hard plastic container to place your SHARPS in, such as a detergent container, pop bottle, coffee can, etc. Tape the lid shut and drop it in the receptacle.” She does caution to make sure the container is small enough to fit in the pull open door.

The SHARPS receptacle joins other containers where the public can drop off their outdated or unused prescription or over-the-counter drugs. They are found outside the Law Enforcement Center and at the Cresco Medical Clinic entrance, both in Cresco. Another is found inside Lime Springs Medical Clinic.