California Sharps Disposal Laws

Sharps disposal pertains to throwing out used needles, lancets and other devices that may easily penetrate the skin. When these things are thrown haphazardly into the trash like any other item, they pose a risk to animals, children, waste management employees and others. Because blood-borne pathogens can be easily exchanged when used needles or similar items penetrate the skin of another person, it is important to dispose of these things in appropriate containers. Each state has specific laws about sharps disposal.

Trash and Recycling

• As of Sept. 1, 2008, it is illegal in California to "dispose of home-generated sharps waste in the trash or recycling containers" as stated on Cal Recycle. Needles, lancets and other sharps devices, even when the original cap has been reapplied, may not be recycled or trashed without appropriate containment. Attempting to trash or recycle these items creates a health risk for waste management workers.

Household Sharps

• California law defines household sharps as "hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets and other devices used to penetrate the skin for the delivery of medications derived from a household, including a multifamily residence or household" as stated on Cal Recycle. This definition was clarified in Section 117671 of the California Health and Safety Code in 2008, as many families and individuals were unclear whether the law referred to household use of sharps items.

Sharps Containers

• All sharps must be disposed of in approved sharps containers. Sharps containers cannot be penetrated by the sharps devices contained inside. Approved sharps containers are "rigid, leak-proof, puncture resistant boxes of various sizes made of hard red plastic, with a lid that can be securely sealed to keep contents from falling out, and clearly marked with the bio-hazard symbol" as noted on Sharp Med Solutions. If you regularly dispose of syringes or other devices used to deliver medication, you may purchase one of these containers to safely dispose of your sharps. If you do not want to buy a container, many pharmacies have collection services where you can deposit your sharps into their sharps disposal containers.