Grand Forks Public Health Opens New Medical Sharps Disposal Site” – Grand Forks Herald

In an effort to improve public health and safety, Grand Forks Public Health has announced a new location for the community to drop off sharps. Medical sharps, including needles, are classified as hazardous waste and cannot be disposed of in regular trash. The new drop-off location at the Grand Forks Withdrawal Management Center on 207 S. 4th St. will help prevent future hazards by keeping sharps out of the trash.

According to Michael Dulitz, opioid response coordinator for Grand Forks Public Health, this initiative will help reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogens in the community and provide a safer way to dispose of sharps. To ensure proper disposal, containers must be made of sturdy plastic and should be either quart or gallon sizes. These containers can be purchased at Inspire Pharmacy for less than $3, located just around the block from the sharps disposal site at 360 Division Ave. #100.

The drop-off facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for containers under five quarts. Larger quantities can be given to withdrawal management center staff between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. It is important to note that commercial entities are not accepted at this drop-off location. This new drop-off facility replaces the Altru Hospital drop-off that was previously closed due to construction but is supported by Grand Forks Public Health, Altru, Inspire Pharmacy, and Spectra Health.

This initiative is an important step in preventing sharps from being improperly disposed of in regular trash, providing a convenient, safe and responsible way for community members to dispose of their sharps while also aligning with efforts to reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogens in the community ultimately contributing to a safer and healthier environment for everyone in the Grand Forks area.

In conclusion, this new sharp disposal facility is an essential addition to our community’s efforts towards public health and safety by ensuring that medical sharps are properly disposed of without contaminating our environment or posing any risks to our health.