Local Officials Join Recycling Industry to Raise Awareness for Safe Disposal of Sharps Containers - Seite 2

Senator Melinda Bush, whose legislative district is home to Waste Management of Illinois's Grayslake recycling facility employing over forty-five workers, regularly see sharps come across the recycling line also signed on as a sponsor. "This new law protects workers like those at the Waste Management facility in Grayslake, but it also protects public health in Illinois," commented Senator Melinda Bush. "Medical waste is something that affects us all. Ensuring proper disposal of sharps means less risk of infection or contamination for everyone."

On the House side, Representatives Rita Mayfield and Ann Williams were chief co-sponsors of the bill. The bill also required the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to update its guidelines and public educational materials to reflect the new law for the proper disposal of household generated sharps.

"The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has already issued new fact sheets and guideline identifying several types of safe and convenient disposal methods for people who give themselves medical injections," said Lisa Bonnett, Director of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. "We urge households to visit our website for information regarding safe disposal guidelines."

The new law received quick support from other organizations who promote safe handling of sharps including the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association. "Our fire service personnel safely handle medical needles and syringes daily in our treatment of patients and are keenly aware of the danger of improper disposal. As was noted during the legislative hearings, our residents often have disposed their sharps in an improper manner and by doing so pose a risk to the first responders or to anyone whom may come in contact with them," said Tim Sashko, executive director for the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association. "Thanks to Senator Holmes and the other legislators, the practice of mixing sharps with recyclables will discontinue, providing safer work environments."

For more information regarding safe disposal of sharps material, visit: www.epa.state.il.us

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