Campaign Aims to Raise Awareness for Safe Disposal in Oklahoma

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Improperly discarded medications and medical sharps pose a growing threat to public health, sanitation workers, and the environment. This spring, the Oklahoma Meds and Sharps Disposal Committee (OMSDC), in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), is launching its Spring 2025 Safe Disposal Campaign to help residents safely dispose of these items—and protect their communities in the process. 

Timed ahead of DEA Take-Back Day on April 26, the campaign promotes proper disposal of unwanted medications and highlights year-round collection options for both medicines and sharps. While DEA Take-Back Day offers a one-day opportunity to discard medications, it does not accept sharps. OMSDC’s campaign ensures broader access through a network of permanent disposal locations across the state. 

Oklahoma residents generate up to 60 million used medical sharps each year. When improperly discarded in household trash or flushed, these items can injure sanitation workers and contaminate local waterways.  “In addition to the public health and environmental risks, medical sharps that are thrown in the trash can pose a safety hazard to sanitation workers,” said Patrick Riley, environmental programs manager for solid waste and sustainability at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). “We know that safe collection sites are needed, and this program will demonstrate exactly how they can be operated.” 

Last fall, Oklahoma’s safe disposal campaign generated over 119,000 social media impressions, reaching tens of thousands of residents with key messages about proper disposal. The campaign’s digital outreach and advertisements resulted in over 1,600 post engagements, demonstrating the growing interest in safe disposal solutions. The interactive take-back map also saw a significant increase in visits, reinforcing the need for accessible disposal options. 

Oklahomans looking for a convenient way to dispose of medications and sharps can use the state’s interactive take-back map to locate a drop-off site near them. This resource provides up-to-date information on collection sites across the state, making it easier than ever to safely dispose of unwanted items.  Throughout the spring, OMSDC and its partners will continue to provide social media outreach, printed materials, and partnerships with pharmacies, public health departments, and community organizations to spread awareness. The campaign will feature targeted messaging to help residents locate drop-off locations for both medications and sharps, ensuring that safe disposal remains a priority year-round. 

“Being able to offer several safe ways for our patients to dispose of sharps is vital to the public health of our reservation,” says Justin Wilcox, Choctaw Nation pharmacist. “The program enhances the already existing programs so patients have several ways they can protect our community.”

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com