“SHARPS” is a collective term given to used hypodermic needles and lances that are deemed to be hazardous biomedical waste.   In the State of Wisconsin (USA) it is against
the law to dispose of “SHARPS” in the traditional land fill garbage.  Unfortunately there is no universal economic alternative available and many SHARPS are finding their way into
the landfills which is causing injury to sanitation workers and creating a bio medical hazard.   Recognizing this environment and community need that largely stems from diabetic insulin
patients, local Lions Clubs have formed a 4-way partnership with: County Waste-management, Public Health, Local Hospitals and the Lions Clubs. 

Through these county by county partnerships, SHARPS containers are being made available at NO CHARGE to all that need them.  Once filled, the user must return the filled container to a

local collection point for disposal.  Each container that is distributed has a Lions logo on it to let the public know that this is a Lions project. 

Partnership responsibilities are as follows: 

1. The Lions Clubs function as the central coordinator and provide the funding for the SHARPS containers through Club donations and by writing grant requests to local community supports
   such as Wal-Mart and Xcel Energy (a local power company).
    

2. Waste-management coordinates promotion and publicity for the program.
    

3. The local Hospitals handle the dispose of the filled containers at no charge.
    

4. Public Health orders, inventories and distributes the SHARPS containers to the distribution points.  Collectively, the group agrees on the pick up points around the County with initial input
   from Public Health. Typically containers are available from local Pharmacies, Nursing Homes and Clinics. 
    

5. You may get additional information on the containers themselves by contacting Mr. Bill Turpin with Sharps Compliance at bturpin@sharpsinc.com or by visiting www.sharpsinc.com . 
   
   Other Sharps informational websites include: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/contacts, http://www.safeneedledisposal.org, http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other
   
   For assistance in establishing a community Sharps program in your area please contact. PDG Wilson Mills wkmills@redwing.net of at 715-821-7799
   
   "Through these county by county partnerships, SHARPS containers are being made available at NO CHARGE to all that need them.  Once filled, the user must return the filled
   container to a  local collection point for disposal.  Each container that is distributed has a Lions logo on it to let the public know that this is a Lions project."  (Programs are
   currently in place for Pierce, St. Croix, Dunn and Pepin Counties.)