Sharps disposal sites?

[theodosia.livejournal.com]

I am now the temporary owner of a diabetic cat, while his real owner is on an extended hospital stay.

I've gotten the insulin injections sorted out, but along with that comes the task of disposing of the sharps -- the needles used for the injections and the sharps used to testing blood sugar -- properly.

Are there any handy collection points local in Somerville?

Comments

[thedonk.livejournal.com]

I believe there's one in the bathroom at the West Branch Library.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

I think there's one at the police station in Union Square.

This is what I found on the City's website:

The Somerville Health Department also reminds residents that the Somerville Police Department is now collecting unwanted or unused prescription drugs in the lobby of the Public Safety Building, 220 Washington Street. Residents may bring unwanted medications to the drop-off 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by placing all containers inside a zip lock bag, and removing all identification from the containers. Liquids are not accepted. Residents may also dispose of needles and sharp materials in the Public Safety Building lobby. Needles must be brought to the kiosk in a sturdy plastic bag or metal container, such as:

A 'sharps' container (no larger than one gallon)
A bleach or detergent bottle (no larger than one gallon)
A coffee can, with the lid securely fastened and taped closed
A 1.5 liter plastic soda bottle
No loose needles will be accepted.

For more information, please contact the Somerville Health Department at 617-625-6600 ext. 4300.

[rmd.livejournal.com]

this document from Mass General (http://www2.massgeneral.org/bmg/z%20files/sharps_disposal_sites.pdf) suggests the Somerville City Hall annex on Evergreen Ave for sharps disposal. If you're not close to that but are close to one of the health facilities (CHA, Somerville Hospital, Vanguard, your vet etc), you might ask there as well.

[dragonmom13.livejournal.com]

Generally the veterinarian managing the cat's diabetes will take the syringes/needles and just add them to their waste.

[paradoox.livejournal.com]

Yes, this. When I talked to our vet about (and it was years ago because Peach has been gone for a while), the vet said emphatically, that insulin needles weren't much of a risk as they were small gauge and holding on to them for months was OK.

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

I can confirm that the police station in union square has a large bin that community members can use.
You're supposed to put it in an official sharps container or an improvised one such as a detergent bottle or coffee can.