Sharps & Medication Disposal

The proper disposal of sharps and medications 
aides in the prevention of accidents and misuse
and provides a clean and safe community.

SHARPS DISPOSAL KIOSK

The Williston Fire Department now has a Sharps Kiosk to help with the safe disposal of used, unused and expired sharps.  

Loose needles, syringes, lancets and auto-injectors (also known as "sharps") that are thrown into your household trash can cause accidental needle sticks, potentially causing infections or spreading disease.  Sharps that end up in recycling bins can injure trash haulers and recycling workers.  Wildlife, pets, and even small children can be hurt by improper disposal. 

The Williston Fire Department, in conjunction with the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, worked together to secure a grant from the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission.   This grant helped fund the purchase of a Sharps Kiosk, which is a safe and effective method of collecting, storing and disposing of sharps.  The Williston Fire Department provides the service that properly disposes of the biohazard waste.   

The Sharps Kiosk is located just outside of our front entrance to the fire station.  The kiosk is bright red and is clearly marked "SHARPS" (see image below).  This service is:

• Free
• Open 24/7
• Private
• Available to anybody who needs it

Items allowed in the sharps kiosk are:

• Needles
• Syringes
• Lancets
• Autoinjectors

Items not allowed in the sharps kiosk are:

• Medications
• Trash
• Recycling

Please feel free to safely dispose of your used, unused, or expired sharps anytime!  

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MEDICATION DISPOSAL SERVICE

The Williston Fire Department offers a mail-in medication disposal service for unused or expired medications. 

Medications that are left unattended not only take up space in your cupboards, but can also lead to intentional misuse and/or accidents.  Accidental overdoses of young children is a potential danger that can be easily avoided by discarding unneeded medications in your home.

This mail-in service is designed for consumers and the ultimate end-user of the pharmaceuticals, including controlled substances that are prescribed and lawfully possessed by the ultimate user.  ​Each envelope can hold up to 8 ounces of medication, including pills, powder and liquid.   You can leave medications in their original container, but be sure to black out your name and any personally identifiable information. 

Our Medication Disposal Envelopes can be found just inside our main entrance.  The holder is on the right, attached to the wall (see image below).  The envelopes are postage-paid with instructions inside.​  This service is:

• Free
• Open 24/7
• Private
• ​Available to anybody who needs it

Items allowed in the envelope are:

• Medications prescribed to the person sending them
• Up to 8 ounces of medication in pill, powder or liquid form, with no more than 4 ounces being liquid 

Items not allowed in the envelope are:

• Sharps (needles, syringes, lancets or auto-injectors).  Use our sharps kiosk for these!
• Medical waste
• Aerosols, including inhalers

Take as many envelopes that you need, and drop them at any US Post Office, drop box or with your postal carrier. 

If you are looking to dispose of larger quantities of medications, the Williston Police Department has a medication kiosk at their station.​

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