Kendall County Suspends Medical Sharps Drop Box Amid Safety Risks

The Kendall County Coroner’s Office has suspended the operation of its outdoor medical sharps drop box at 804 W. John St. in Yorkville due to safety concerns. This decision affects the 24-hour access to the drop box, which was designed for safe disposal of medical sharps, including needles and syringes.

Medical sharps can pose significant health risks if not disposed of properly. According to the Coroner’s Office, many individuals placed loose needles in the drop box without using appropriate containers. This practice raised safety concerns for the staff responsible for emptying the kiosk, as it increased the likelihood of injuries.

Alternate Disposal Options Available

Despite the suspension of the outdoor drop box, residents can still dispose of medical sharps safely. The Kendall County Coroner’s Office offers an alternative for disposal during regular business hours. Residents may drop off sharps from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the same location.

To facilitate safe disposal, the office provides free sharps containers to all Kendall County residents. This initiative aims to ensure that individuals have convenient options for disposing of potentially hazardous materials safely.

The decision to halt the drop box operation underscores the importance of following safety protocols when disposing of medical sharps. The Coroner’s Office encourages the community to utilize the available resources and ensures that disposal methods do not jeopardize public safety.

For further information, residents can visit the Kendall County Coroner’s Office website or contact them directly to learn more about safe disposal practices and the provision of sharps containers.