Ste. Genevieve County residents who are in need of a safe option for disposal of needles or lancets used for medically required treatment of their medical conditions can participate in a safe disposal program through the Ste Genevieve County Health Department. Residents can obtain, free of charge, a hazmat approved biohazard container for their personal use. The containers may be returned to the health department during regular business hours when they are full for proper, legal and environmentally safe disposal. A replacement container will be provided each time a full container is returned. This program will eliminate medical hazardous waste materials from entering our landfills and reduce the risk for potential contamination of others through improper disposal of home medical waste materials. Residents who use needles and syringes for medical injections, and/or lancets for blood testing are eligible to participate in this program.
Used needles and lancets are dangerous because they can:
Injure people
- Spread germs
- Spread diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tetanus and syphilis
Things not to do with used needles:
- Do not throw loose needles in the trash
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Do not flush used needles down the toilet
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Do not put used needles in recycling containers
For more information call the health department at 883-7411 or stop by the office located at 115 Basler Dr. to obtain a container with instructions for use. This program was made possible with funding and support from the Ste. Genevieve County Community Foundation
Protect Yourself; Protect Others; Protect the Environment