Special Wastes:Special Wastes:Dealing with Medical Sharps Dealing with Medical Sharps

and Pharmaceuticalsand Pharmaceuticals

Shannon JuddShannon JuddEnvironmental Education/Outreach CoordinatorEnvironmental Education/Outreach CoordinatorFond du Lac Band of Lake Superior ChippewaFond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

ITEP Source Reduction TrainingITEP Source Reduction TrainingSeptember 2011September 2011

DefinitionsDefinitions

Medical SharpsMedical Sharps: Needles, syringes and other sharps : Needles, syringes and other sharps used to give injections, draw blood, etc.used to give injections, draw blood, etc.

Pharmaceutical WastePharmaceutical Waste: Unwanted, unused, expired : Unwanted, unused, expired

medications.medications. ControlledControlled: Pharmaceuticals whose distribution and use is more : Pharmaceuticals whose distribution and use is more

monitored and controlled due to the risk of dependancy or abuse. monitored and controlled due to the risk of dependancy or abuse. (i.e. morphine, methadone, hydrocodone.)(i.e. morphine, methadone, hydrocodone.)

UncontrolledUncontrolled: All other medications that are not listed under : All other medications that are not listed under controlled. controlled.

Medical SharpsMedical Sharps

Why are they a concern?Why are they a concern?

Risk of InfectionRisk of Infection

Risk of InjuryRisk of Injury

Risk of Spreading DiseaseRisk of Spreading Disease

Medical SharpsMedical Sharps Fond du Lac Sharps

Collection

Min No Aya Win Human Services distributes stickers and buckets to patients.

Collection containers in restrooms at Black Bear Casino Resort, the Fond du Lac Tribal Center and other locations.

No collection at FdL Waste Site

Medical Sharps

Guidelines for Proper Disposal:

Put sharps in hard plastic container with cap/lid (i.e. detergent bottles, pop bottles)

Label the container

When 2/3 full, tape lid on and bring into collection site

Stickers for Sharps Stickers for Sharps ContainersContainers

Medical SharpsMedical SharpsSafety Measures for Waste Site Safety Measures for Waste Site

StaffStaff Require Hepatitis Vaccinations for all Waste Require Hepatitis Vaccinations for all Waste

Site StaffSite Staff Educate your staff on potential hazardsEducate your staff on potential hazards Provide proper protective gear: gloves, boots Provide proper protective gear: gloves, boots

Steel-shanked, steel-toed boots Steel-shanked, steel-toed boots

Puncture-resistant glovesPuncture-resistant gloves Turtleskin: Turtleskin:

http://www.turtleskin.com/Safety-Gloves.aspx

Pharmaceuticals

Why are they a concern?

Potential Health Hazard

Potential Environmental HazardNo more flushing!!!

Pharmaceuticals

Fond du Lac Pharmaceutical Collection Began August 2011 Legal and Clinic Staff Spearheaded Effort;

Environmental provided input Main drive was to provide disposal for controlled

substances and to provide means of disposal in an environmentally friendly manner

Researched regulations – Controlled substance must be in presence of police officers at all times

Pharmaceuticals

Fond du Lac Pharmaceutical Collection Cont… Drop box for controlled

substances located at the Police Station

Pharmacy can take non-controlled substances

Policy on Medication Disposal Developed

Verbal approval obtained from DEA

Pharmaceuticals

Instructions for Medication Disposal 1. Leave medication in the original container. 2. Remove any personal information, such as

name, address, phone number. 3. Leave the name of the medication. 4. Drop the medication into the disposal box

opening.

Pharmaceuticals

Collection Options Annual, Semi-annual, Quarterly Collection Continuous Collection

If no collection options are available, advise people of proper disposal:

1) Scratch out personal information

2) Fill container with cat litter, sawdust, liquid or other material and tape shut

3) Put in non-transparent bag and dispose of in the trash

Medical Sharps and Pharmaceuticals

Getting Started Communicate with local officials, health care

facilities, and solid waste management staff Incorporate special wastes into your management

plans and ordinances Locate disposal options in your region Community Outreach

Community Outreach

Questions?

Shannon Judd

Environmental Outreach Coordinator

Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

shannonjudd@fdlrez.com

218-878-7123