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March 2026 Public Health E-Newsletter 

Sharps disposal program starts at Village Hall

Village Hall is now accepting sharps from community members so that these items, including medication syringes, epi pens, lancets and infusion sets, can be disposed of properly. Sharps should not be thrown in the trash along with other typical household items. Proper disposal of sharps protects sanitation workers and helps reduce the spread of communicable disease.

Community members are welcome to bring properly-contained sharps to Village Hall, 123 Madison St., during regular business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Upon arrival, individuals should come to the Welcome Center on the first floor, and then a trained staff person will be called down to assist residents with disposal.

No identifying information will be collected when residents drop off sharps for disposal.

As part of the sharps disposal program, the Public Health Department will provide community members with free personal sharps disposal containers to take home. These containers are available at Village Hall during business hours.

Why is the Public Health Department offering this service?

Oak Park's built and natural environment contributes to the community's health and wellbeing. As at-home use of medical sharps has increased in recent years, safe disposal of these items ensures that these spaces remain safe for residents and the workers who maintain our community. When sharps are disposed of improperly, sanitation workers, maintenance staff, children and anyone reaching into a bag or sitting in a public space can encounter a discarded needle. More safe, accessible opportunities for sharps disposal will reduce the risk of anyone unintentionally coming into contact with a needle, syringe or other sharp that can cause injury or disease. Even a tiny amount of blood on a used needle can spread communicable diseases including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Our goal is to minimize the spread of disease whenever possible. Safe disposal programs protect the whole community, and we seek to give people a safe, stigma-free way to dispose of used needles.

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 be
thrown 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 to safely dispose of sharps at Village Hall

In offering a sharps disposal service, staff safety is a priority. All staff members who are working on this program have been trained on proper handling of sharps. To ensure the sharps program is safe for all involved, there are some requirements for people who bring sharps to Village Hall.

When you bring your sharps for disposal, follow these instructions:

1. Properly store your sharps inside a rigid hard plastic container that is thick-walled, leak-resistant and durable. (See examples below.)

2. Seal the container lid with tape.

3. 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.

4. Ask the staff at the Welcome Center to call a trained staff member, who will assist you in disposing of the container safely.

Where to drop off sharps for disposal in Oak Park

In addition to Village Hall, there are several organizations that can also accept sharps for proper disposal in Oak Park. 

Oak Park Village Hall
Address: 123 Madison St.
Contact: (708) 358-5480 or health@oak-park.us
Staff can accept sharps containers, Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Walk-ins welcome. You may also call ahead to ensure trained staff are available to assist you.

RUSH Oak Park
Address: 520 S. Maple Ave.
Contact: (708) 383-9300
Open 24/7. Sharps containers can be placed in a self-serve kiosk located in the lobby of the Emergency Department.

Oak Park Township
Address: 105 S. Oak Park Ave.
Contact: (708) 434-4296
A self-serve single-syringe disposal box is located next to the medicine drop box on the outside of the building, available 24/7.
Youth and Family Services can accept a limited number of sharps in sealed containers, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Park District of Oak Park
Locations: Scoville Park and Maple Park restroom buildings. Open during park hours. Disposal bins are self-serve and designed only for single-syringe disposal, not sharps containers.
Contact: (708) 725-2000

Have questions? Call us!

Where and when can I bring my sharps for safe disposal?

How should I package them?

What if I'm embarrassed to bring my sharps?

Call the Public Health Department if you have questions about bringing in your sharps for safe disposal at (708) 358-5480.

We encourage all community members to bring in used, properly-contained sharps, no matter the medication or use for any of the syringes or equipment. Our goal is to keep the community safe and divert sharps from waste management systems where they have the potential to cause harm. We are professionals, trained in patient confidentiality, and will not record or require any identifying information.