Sharps Collection

Below is information for those who want to collect sharps as a public service. If you want to know how and where to dispose of sharps in Wisconsin, see Sharps Disposal.

How to Collect Sharps From the Public

To find out how to set up and register a sharps collection station, please download the DNR publication Sharps Collection (PUB WA807) [PDF 82KB].

Here are some questions commonly asked by potential sharps collectors:

• Who may collect sharps without registering with the DNR? Businesses or institutions that generate infectious waste (e.g., hospitals, veterinary clinics) may collect sharps without registering if they take in less than they generate themselves or less than 500 pounds per month, whichever is less, according to s. NR 526.09, Wis. Adm. Code. However, the DNR encourages all sharps collection stations to register, even if they only collect sharps from their patients. Public places and businesses providing sharps boxes in their restrooms should not register because they are considered generators, not collectors.
• Who must register? Businesses, institutions or agencies that collect containers of sharps but don't generate infectious waste themselves, or that take in more than they generate, must register with the DNR as sharps collection stations. Registration is required to exempt the station from obtaining a storage facility license (see s. NR 526.09). Examples of businesses that must register include pharmacies, certain small clinics and visiting nurse services.
• How much does it cost to collect sharps? The main cost is for disposal, which varies depending on the volume collected and distance from the infectious waste treatment facility, but is typically about 30 to 60 cents a pound. A large community or county can run a sharps collection program for less than a few thousand dollars a year. If your community provides its own waste collection services, collecting sharps will actually save money by reducing or eliminating needlestick injuries among its waste-related employees. Or, if your community contracts out for waste collection, having a sharps collection program can help you negotiate a less expensive contract because the waste hauler will spend less on worker compensation claims.

How Wisconsin Promotes Sharps Collection

Wisconsin was among the first states to require everyone to manage sharps separately from regular trash. Wisconsin's Sharps Collection Program (PUB WA1239) [PDF 79KB] explains how Wisconsin's program works, how it got started, what difference it has made, what program elements are essential and where to find more information.

More Information About Sharps Collection

DNR publications about sharps and other medical wastes are in the Searchable Publication System. Search for the category "medical/infectious waste."

Related Links

• Sharps Collection (PUB WA807) [PDF 82KB]
• Wisconsin's Sharps Collection Program (PUB WA1239) [PDF 79KB]
• List of Licensed Infectious Waste Transporters [PDF 26KB]
• List of Registered Sharps Collection Stations [PDF 90KB]

Related Sites

• "How Wisconsin Promotes Household Sharps Collection" in "Preventing Bloodborne Infections through Pharmacy Syringe Sales and Community Sharps Collection" [PDF 1.1MB, exit DNR], a supplement to the Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, November/December 2002, Vol. 42, No. 6, Suppl. 2, pp. S111-S112.
• "Household Sharps Collection Program in Brown County, Wisconsin" in "Preventing Bloodborne Infections through Pharmacy Syringe Sales and Community Sharps Collection" [PDF 1.1MB, exit DNR], a supplement to the Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, November/December 2002, Vol. 42, No. 6, Suppl. 2, pp. S113-S114.
• Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal [exit DNR]. The coalition is a collaboration of businesses, community groups, non-profit organizations and government that promotes public awareness and solutions for safe disposal of needles, syringes and other sharps in the community.
• Product Stewardship Institute [exit DNR]. PSI and others are exploring a multi-stakeholder dialogue on the medical sharps issue. Participants will explore ways to educate those using sharps about the problem, provide convenient access to a safe collection system, change behavior to increase compliance, and develop a cost-effective system that is financially sustainable.

Contact Information

For questions and comments about sharps collection, please contact:

DNR Medical Waste@Wisconsin.gov