FAQ's

FAQs

Q: What is a sharp? What can I put in my sharps container?
A: Any items used for medicine injections; needles, syringes, or lancets

Q: Where may I pick up a new personal sharps container?
A: Pick up a new container at one of the following locations:
      Mt Pleasant:
        Commission on Aging - 3480 S Isabella
        Downtown Drugs - 121 E Broadway #A
        Meijer Pharmacy - 1015 E Pickard
        Mission Pharmacy - 926 S Mission
        Nimkee Memorial Health Clinic Pharmacy - 2591 S Leaton
        Sam's Club Pharmacy - 4850 Encore Blvd
    Shepherd:
              Evans Drugs - 257 W Wright

Q: Do I have to have a prescription?
A: NO

Q: How many containers may I have?
A: This program is limited to one container per person, per visit, on an "as needed" basis

Q: Can people from outside of Isabella County use this program?
A: This program is limited to Isabella County residents

Q: Where do I drop off my container?
A: There are 8 drop off locations throughout the county:
    Blanchard:
        Rolland/Millbrook Township Fire Dept - Blanchard
    Clare:
        Wise Township Hall - 10509 N Loomis Rd
    Mt Pleasant:
        Commission on Aging - 3480 S Isabella
        Deerfield Township Fire Dept - 3032 S Winn Rd
        Mt Pleasant Public Safety Building - 804 E High
        Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Dept - 6954 E Broadway
    Shepherd:
        Shepherd Tri-Township Fire Dept - 410 N Chippewa
    Weidman:
        Nottawa-Sherman Fire Dept - 6263 W Weidman Rd

Q: How are the sharps disposed of:
A: The sharps containers are disposed of by a medical waste disposal company that sends the sharps and containers through an autoclave process. In this process, the sharps and containers are decontaminated with a high temperature steam treatment, melted down, and safely disposed of in a landfill.

Q: Can I have two, how much will fit in my container?
A: This program is limited to one container per person. It is reasonable to expect that some people will fill their containers more quickly than others. This one quart container should be able to store 100 pen needles.

Q: Where should I store it in my home?
A: The containers should be stored in a safe and stable location that is out of the reach of children and pets.

Q: How is this program funded?
A: The program is funded through donations from several local organizations including The Mt Pleasant Area Community Foundation, the Mt Pleasant and Shepherd Rotaries, the Friends of Isabella County Seniors, the Mt Pleasant and Weidman Lions, and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.

Q: Can I make a personal donation?
A: Yes. Personal donations can be made by contacting Amy Shindorf at 989-773-9631, or via email.

Q: Can I put the sharps container in my recycling bin?
A: NO. The containers SHOULD NOT be placed in your recycling bin. The full containers should be placed in one of the eight collection bins, located at drop sites throughout Isabella County.

Q: Can I put the sharps container in my regular trash?
A: NO. The containers SHOULD NOT be placed in your trash. The full containers should be placed in one of the eight collection bins, located at drop sites throughout Isabella County.

Q: Can I put other containers filled with sharps in the collection bins?
A: The safest way to participate in the program is by utilizing the personal sharps containers provided by the program. Other containers may not fit in the collection drop boxes. Individual sharps SHOULD NOT be disposed of in the collection bins as they are a risk to county employees.

Q: Who should I contact if I have a stockpile of sharps?
A: Please call 989-773-9631, or via email.