Sponsored sharps bins?

The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is offering grants in the form of sharps waste containers and/or kiosks, which CalRecycle will purchase and distribute to Approved California Local Jurisdictions (Approved Jurisdictions). The Sharps Grant Project (Sharps Grant), offered under the auspices of the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Grant Program, is a one-time grant to assist in the support of a safe, convenient and cost-effective infrastructure for collecting and disposing of home-generated sharps waste. Eligible jurisdictions must have direct responsibility for Household Hazardous Solid Waste Management and have established HHW sharps waste collection and public education programs or be able to demonstrate that they are in the process of implementing both this year. Local jurisdictions must distribute the sharps containers obtained through this grant to sharps users. All kiosks and sharps containers obtained through this grant must directly benefit public health and safety.

This one-time Sharps Grant Project (FY 2011/12) is now available. Please access the Guidelines and Instructions at: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/HomeHazWaste/Grants/SharpsFY1112/default.htm

So, what about sponsored sharps bins?  With the growing problem of IV drug abuse and the many areas blighted by discarded needles there can be little doubt, and there is much evidence to confirm, that thoughtfully placed sharps bins in parks and gardens, in public toilets, and in other areas where IV drug users congregate will be used by many with a corresponding reduction in discarded needles. Though a primary concern must be the reduction in opportunities for sharps injury, the added advantage is to prevent extensive needle sharing and thereby the burden of Hepatitis C and other infections infection.

Though the moral majority may complain, this is in almost every respect a win-win situation.

So why not sponsor bins, and perhaps the service that goes with it?  Roll it into contracts for clinical waste or more general hygiene services across a local authority area. Use it as a sweetener for future contract negotiations – but don’t describe it like that! Every way, it seems a winner, and may be a useful test bed for newer sharps containers and secure sharps collection devices.

Remember, you heard it first on the Clinical Waste Discussion Forum.

And let’s go further. The outside surface of a sharps bin is wasted space and might be used to carry advertising material alongside statutory markings. No, not eat at Joe’s Café, but something more useful such as a guide to source segregation of wastes, perhaps a reiteration of basic sharps safety guidance, of spillage management, or of hand hygiene?

 

With much evidence that suitable placed reminder messages reinforce the rules and standards of basic training and make a real difference in performance, this too seems like a win-win situation.

Remember, you heard this first on the Clinical Waste Discussion Forum too!

 

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