Every year more than 2 billion needles and syringes are used nationwide outside of healthcare settings. Most of these needles are improperly stored and then are placed into either municipal trash or recycling containers or may be flushed down toilets. The improper disposal of these needles poses serious health risks to children, sanitation workers, and the general public.
California legislators passed SB 1305  making it illegal to dispose of home-generated sharps in the trash as of September 1, 2008. This landfill ban is of particular concern to the growing number of Americans using injectible medications to treat diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, migraines, infertility, blood disorders, and for those who medicate pets and livestock. There are few safe disposal options in most communities, and the options that do exist are often inconvenient for the home generator. Few pharmacies take back used sharps. Even fewer hospitals, physicians offices, and clinics will accept them. The burden again falls to cash strapped local government household hazardous waste programs that often consist of single day collection events once or twice per year. The result? Sharps end up in the municipal waste stream where they pose a health risk to sanitation workers and the general public. |
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Policy & Legislation