Charlotte County Fire & EMS Fire Station 9 Now Accepting Sharps for Safe Disposal

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Jan. 13, 2026) - Charlotte County Fire & EMS is proud to announce that Fire Station 9, located at 17785 Curry Preserve Drive in Babcock Ranch, is now accepting sharps for safe disposal. Fire Station 9 is the only fire station location in Charlotte County offering this service. No other stations will be accepting them at this time.

Residents can drop off sharps seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., providing a convenient and accessible option for residents living in southern Charlotte County and the Babcock Ranch area. This program offers a closer location for safe disposal of used hypodermic needles and helps prevent accidental injuries, reduce environmental hazards, and ensure proper handling.

The addition of Fire Station 9 as a sharps disposal location reflects ongoing collaboration between Charlotte County Fire & EMS and community partners, including the Rotary Club of Babcock Ranch, who helped highlight the importance of improved access to safe sharps disposal in the area. Community input plays an important role in identifying opportunities to enhance public safety services when feasible.

"Providing this service at Fire Station 9 gives residents a safe and accessible way to dispose of sharps responsibly," said Charlotte County Fire & EMS Acting Fire Chief & Public Safety Director Matthew McElroy. "We're always looking for ways to support our community's health and safety, and expanding this program to Babcock Ranch does exactly that."

How to Use Your Sharps Container:

• Do not clip the needle.

• Do not recap the needle.

• Place the hypodermic needle directly into the red sharps container.

• When the container is full, secure the lid. Do not overfill.

• Bring the full sharps container to Fire Station 9 or one of the listed recycling facilities below to receive a free replacement container.

Additional Sharps Disposal Locations:

• Mid-County Mini-Transfer & Recycling Facility

  19765 Kenilworth Blvd, Port Charlotte
  Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m.

• West Charlotte Mini-Transfer & Recycling Facility
  7070 Environmental Way, Englewood
  Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
• Punta Gorda Public Safety Building
  1410 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda
  Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to use this free and environmentally responsible program to help maintain community safety.

For information, contact Ashley Turner at 941-833-5610 or [email protected].

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