Sharps Collection
Community members can now bring properly-contained sharps, including medication syringes, epi pens, lancets and infusion sets, to Village Hall for proper disposal. Sharps should not be thrown in the trash along with other typical household items.
The Oak Park Public Health Department is coordinating the sharps collection service, which is available during regular business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday- Friday at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Community members should come to the Welcome Center on the first floor and trained staff will be called down to assist residents with disposal.
As part of the sharps disposal program, free personal sharps disposal containers are available to take home. These containers are available at Village Hall during business hours.
Read on for more information about sharps, proper sharps containers and how to safely dispose of them.
What are sharps?
“Sharps” is a medical term for devices with sharp points or edges that can puncture or cut skin.
These devices are used by individuals to manage medical conditions, such as allergies, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, infertility or migraines for themselves, family members or pets.
Examples of sharps include needles, syringes, lancets, auto-injectors like Epi pens, and infusion sets.
Can sharps just be tossed in the trash?
No. Sharps are not like regular garbage, and they should not be disposed of in the regular trash or recycling bins.
Sharps can contain bloodborne pathogens that can spread when handled improperly. They pose an environmental health hazard for the community and a safety hazard for sanitation workers.
How can I safely dispose of sharps at Village Hall?
- Properly contain your sharps inside a rigid hard plastic container that is thick-walled, leak-resistant and durable.
- Seal the container lid with tape.
- During our regular hours of operation, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays – Fridays, bring your sealed container to the Village Hall at 123 Madison St. Ask the staff at the Welcome Center to call a trained staff member, who will assist you in disposing of the container safely.
Acceptable containers include:
- Laundry detergent bottles
- Bleach bottles
- Plastic coffee containers
- Medical sharps disposal containers
Unacceptable containers include:
- Milk jugs
- Soda or water bottles
- Non-plastic containers
Where else can I dispose of sharps in Oak Park?
RUSH Oak Park
520 S. Maple Ave.
708.383.9300
•Open 24/7. A self-serve kiosk is located in the lobby of the Emergency Department.
The Oak Park Township
105 S. Oak Park Ave.
708.434.4296
A self-serve single-syringe disposal box is located next to the medicine drop box on outside of building, available 24/7.
Youth and Family Services can accept a limited number of sharps in sealed containers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Prescription drug disposal
The Village has information on where to safely dispose of prescription drugs:
Prescription drug disposal