In September 2021, Westbrook installed four community sharps boxes for safe disposal of syringes and other types of sharp medical waste. These boxes were placed around the city in locations where there were reports of improperly disposed needles. This was a collaborative effort involving the Westbrook Partners for Prevention Coalition, The Opportunity Alliance, city officials, Westbrook Police Department, Westbrook Fire Department, and Westbrook Public Services. These sharps disposal boxes serve to not only protect community members from injury, but to also reduce stigma surrounding drug use.
Currently, five municipalities have community sharps boxes available. If you’re interested in getting community sharps boxes for your area, learn more by accessing the Maine CDC’s Community Sharps Disposal Toolkit. For more information, visit mainepreventionstore.com.
WHY USE A SHARPS BOX
• Prevent needle-stick injuries and risk of the spread of blood-borne diseases
• Protect the public
• Protect city workers
• Protect the environment
OTHER ALTERNATIVES
If you cannot access a sharps box, you can dispose of sharps using a thick plastic container like a laundry detergent bottle or a coffee can. Write “sharps” on the container, tape it shut, and throw it in the trash.
SPECIFIC LOCATIONS:
192 BROWN ST | THE INTERSECTION OF CROSS AND CENTRAL STREETS | RIVERBANK PARK | 901 MAIN ST. ON THE SACCARAPPA PARK FENCE
