Sharps disposal

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What kind of guidance do you need?* This field is required.
I found a discarded needle or sharp object
I was stuck by someone else's needle
I need to know how to dispose of needles and other household sharps
Other
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Where did you find the discarded needle or sharp object?* This field is required.
Private property
Public property
Sidewalk
Tall grass
Dumpster
Playground or park
Other
3
Please specify which playground or park and describe where to quickly find the sharp object* This field is required.
4
What would you like to report to the Environmental Health team?
Huge
Large
Normal
Small
Ok
Ok
5
What to do when you find a discarded needle or sharp object:

Put on heavy duty gloves and use pliers or tongs to place it in a thick plastic container, like a laundry detergent bottle

Screw on the lid and seal it well with duct tape to prevent the cap from coming off

Write "SHARPS: Do Not Recycle" on the container and throw it away in the regular trash

The Environmental Health team does not pick up discarded needles or sharp objects on private property, sidewalks, dumpsters or overgrown lawns. To report an area of concern to the City of Springfield, please fill out this form.
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What to do if you get stuck by someone else's needle:

Wash the wound well with soap and water

Seek medical attention right away

If you are injured by a discarded sharp object, you could be exposed to a blood-borne infection. This can occur when the injury involved a sharp object that is contaminated with blood or a bodily fluid from someone else. These infections include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

The Environmental Health team does not pick up discarded needles or sharp objects on private property, sidewalks, dumpsters or overgrown lawns. To report an area of concern to the City of Springfield, please fill out this form.
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How to safely dispose of household sharps:

When placing your used sharps in the container, do not replace the protective cover over the needle or break the needle. This could expose you to the possibility of sticking yourself.

When the container is nearly full, add a solution of one part chlorine bleach and nine parts tap water. Wear gloves when handling bleach because it could damage your skin.

Carefully pour all the liquid down the drain. Holding the cap near the mouth of the container may prevent sharps from falling out.

After all the liquid has been drained, reseal the container and wrap it with duct tape to prevent the cap from coming off.

Write “SHARPS: Do Not Recycle” on the container so your waste handlers are aware of the contents.

Dispose of the container with your regular household waste. Advise your waste handler that you generate treated sharps so they take special care when they pick up your trash.

The Environmental Health team does not pick up discarded needles or sharp objects on private property, sidewalks, dumpsters or overgrown lawns. To report an area of concern to the City of Springfield, please fill out this form.
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