Earlier this year, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a new law into legislation which extends the timeline for disposal of sharps containers.
Previously, state law mandated that sharps containers must be shipped for disposal within 90 days of the Accumulation Start Date, regardless of whether the container had been fully utilized.
State law now allows for sharps containers to be used either:
Until they are ¾ full
– or –
18 months from the date sharps were first added to the container (Accumulation Start Date)
These changes are effective immediately and will be reflected in all applicable Animal Care & Use Program and Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) guidance/policy documents in the near future.
Please note that all sharps containers must still be labeled with an Accumulation Start Date using MM/DD/YYYY format. The Accumulation Start Date should be recorded on the day that sharps are first placed in the container.
Where to Learn More
For more information about proper sharps disposal procedures in animal care areas, please review the Sharps Disposal Procedures document on the Animal Care A-Z website.
General information for laboratories can be found in the EHS Preparing Biohazardous Sharps Waste for Collection SOP (PDF download).
Questions?
Contact EHS at (734) 763-4568 or [email protected] with any additional questions or concerns about proper sharps disposal.