California residents must take sealed containers of used sharps to a drop-off site or arrange a mail-back service. Please check this page for disposal drop-off programs in your area. If there is no program near you, contact your local health department or solid waste department.
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Put used sharps in a heavy-duty, plastic container. |
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When the container is about three-quarters (3/4) full, put the lid on, seal it with duct tape, and label: DO NOT RECYCLE. Do not throw the container in the trash or recycling |
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Use our locator to find container disposal options near you. |
Most counties in California have disposal programs. Call the program to confirm if there are any container requirements, disposal fees or residency restrictions. Residents may also be eligible for free sharps containers and mail-back services through The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation and MED-Project Other programs may be offered by the pharmaceutical companies. Please contact the programs for more information.
Beginning on September 1, 2008, State law (Section 118286 of the California Health and Safety Code) makes it illegal to dispose of home-generated sharps waste in the trash or recycling containers, and requires that all sharps waste be transported to a collection center "in a sharps containers or other containers approved by the enforcement agency."
Section 117671 of the California Health and Safety Code defines "home-generated sharps waste" as hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for the delivery of medications derived from a household, including a multifamily residence or household.
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is working to help develop a safe, convenient, and cost-effective infrastructure for collecting and properly disposing of home-generated sharps waste. Decreasing the number of sharps disposed in landfills will help prevent potential health risks to landfill and material recovery facility workers.
Sharps users may be able to take their filled sharp container to local collections sites, however, sites may be limited in some areas. If available, sharps disposal options in your area can be found using our Locator tool.
