California
California law directs consumers to take sealed containers of used household sharps to a drop off site or arrange a mail back service.
- If there is no program near you, contact your local health department or solid waste department for direction.
Step 1
Place them in a strong, plastic container, like a laundry detergent or bleach bottle.
Step 2
When the container is 75% full, seal it tightly with duct tape and label it “DO NOT RECYCLE.”
Step 3
Use the ZIP Code locator below to find a drop off site for your sealed container.
Call the program to confirm if there are any container requirements, disposal fees or residency restrictions.
California State Guidelines
In California it is illegal to dispose of home-generated sharps waste in the trash or recycling containers, and all sharps waste must be transported to a collection center “in a sharps container or other containers approved by the enforcement agency.” The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery has more information here.