Be smart! Think sharp!

The Madison County Department of Solid Waste would like to remind county residents to dispose of needles and lances, also known as "sharps," correctly.

Some hypodermic needles and medical lances are mistakenly making their way into the recycling stream in Madison County and putting workers at the Recycling Center at risk.

Never put sharps in recyclable containers or in with other recyclables.

County residents can properly dispose of their sharps in red containers, available free from the Madison County Landfill Office, the Public Health Dept. and almost all pharmacies in Madison County.

When full and properly sealed, containers can be given to the attendant at any of the four Madison County Landfill transfer stations (in Cazenovia, Hamilton, Lincoln or Sullivan) or dropped off at the following locations:

· Crouse Community Center, 101 South St., Morrisville, 315-684-9595

· Community Memorial Hospital Building Service Office, 150 Broad St., Hamilton, 315-824-6566

· Oneida Health Care Center, Classroom A, 1st Floor, Route 5, Genesee St., Oneida, 315-363-6000

· The Grand at Chittenango, 331 Russell St., Chittenango, 315-687-7255.