Mariposa County Public Works Department, in cooperation with Mariposa County Health Department, is launching a collection program for sharps used in the home. Sharps, defined as needles or lancets, cannot be disposed of in the landfill. Safe management requires that sharps be stored in a container that protects both the user and others from being stuck.
Filled sharps containers can be exchanged for new ones free of charge at either the Recycling Center at the County Landfill, located off Hwy. 49N about two miles from town, or the Health Department, located at 4988 11th St. in Mariposa. The containers can be picked up during normal hours of operation.
When the new container is about 2/3 full, the top must be closed securely. Some pharmacies, doctors’ offices, mail-back programs or hospitals may accept the filled containers for proper handling. If none of these options are available, they can be brought to the Recycling Center at the Landfill between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday
Business-generated sharps will not be accepted.
For more information go to www.mariposacounty.org/health or www.mariposacounty.org/solidwaste or call the Health Department at (209) 966-3689 or Public Works at (209) 966-5165.