This fall, 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 renewing its call for safe disposal of medications and medical sharps. The Fall 2025 Safe Disposal Campaign is designed to protect families, sanitation workers, and the environment by raising awareness of proper disposal practices and expanding access to collection options across the state.
The campaign builds momentum around DEA Take-Back Day on October 25, which provides a one-day opportunity for residents to return unwanted medications. But since the DEA program does not accept sharps, OMSDC鈥檚 statewide initiative fills the gap by connecting Oklahomans with year-round options for safe disposal of both medicines and sharps.
Each year, Oklahoma households generate an estimated 60 million used medical sharps. If disposed of in household trash or flushed, these sharps can cause painful injuries to sanitation workers and spread infectious diseases. Medications thrown away or flushed risk contaminating drinking water and harming aquatic ecosystems
鈥淥ur campaign is about giving Oklahomans the tools they need to protect both public health and our environment,鈥� said Patrick Riley, Environmental Programs Manager for Solid Waste and Sustainability at the Oklahoma DEQ. 鈥淪harps and medications should never end up in the trash or down the drain鈥攁nd thanks to our network of safe disposal sites, they don鈥檛 have to.鈥�
Building on strong results from past campaigns, this year鈥檚 initiative features targeted social media outreach, printed materials, and partnerships with pharmacies, public health departments, and community organizations. The Fall 2024 campaign generated more than 119,000 impressions and saw record engagement on the interactive take-back map鈥攄emonstrating the growing demand for safe disposal options.
鈥淗aving access to safe and convenient sharps disposal isn鈥檛 just a convenience鈥攊t鈥檚 a necessity,鈥� said Justin Wilcox, Choctaw Nation pharmacist. 鈥淭hese programs help us protect our patients, our families, and our communities.鈥�
Oklahomans are encouraged to use the state鈥檚 interactive take-back map to find nearby disposal locations for medications and sharps. The resource is continually updated, making it easy to locate safe, secure, and free disposal options year-round.
Communities interested in launching their own sharps collection program can access guidance through OMSDC and PSI. Establishing Community Medical Sharps Programs: A Guide for Municipalities, Pharmacies, Health Clinics, and Nonprofits in Oklahoma offers information on program types, cost estimates, vendor options, and best practices for designing an effective collection initiative.