For years, the state has mandated that needles, syringes, and lancets cannot go in the trash, but lacked an alternative solution. The town is finally responding to that.

Board of Health Director Chris Michaud unrolled the sharps container program in July with grant monies. Residents can now get a free container for their medical waste at Town Hall.

"Once you bring back a full one, you get a new one," said Michaud, who recently presented the containers to visitors at the Council on Aging. He said the containers are also good for sharps used for pet medications.

Michaud explained the dangers of throwing sharps in the trash: they can get caught on home care workers and sanitation workers, prick people who sort through bins, they can fall out into the street, and they spread bloodborne pathogens.

Michaud said previously, the best solution was to throw sharps into a coffee container or laundry detergent bottle, but those get crushed in a garbage truck and will spread the needles, he said. Michaud said unfortunately, people are still doing that, and sometimes, needles even make it into recycling.

"What we're learning so far is that there's a lack of awareness," said Michaud.

That sentiment was echoed by attendee Janice Rogers, who told Michaud she recently found a syringe and needle by her housing complex on Sol E Mar Street. Rogers, who worked in the health care industry, called both police and the property owners. She explained that police then told her to put it in a coffee can, which is incorrect procedure and a hazard to Rogers.

While Michaud said calling the police was the right response, he also said that you should never pick up sharps. "Call me, and I'll see to it that it gets addressed," said Michaud.

Rogers appreciated the feedback. "I'm glad I came," she said. "[The container] looks safe because even if it falls, nothing will come out. It's a good idea."

Currently, the only place in town that residents can dispose of sharps is at the Board of Health in Town Hall, 400 Slocum Road, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information, call (508) 910-1804.

However, other disposal sites are as follows:

New Bedford:

Greater New Bedford Health Center: 874 Purchase Street; (508) 992-6553

Home of Hope for Women Outreach Center: 1173 Acushnet Avenue; (508) 996-0546

Seven Hills Behavioral Health: 589 South First Street; (508) 999-3126

Fairhaven:

Fairhaven Fire Department: 146 Washington Street; (508) 994-1428

Westport:

Town of Westport Board of Health, Public Health Nurse (must call to make appointment): 856 Main Road; (508) 636-1015