• Common examples of toxics
• Household Toxics Facility
• Community Toxics Collections
• Toxics Rover Pickup
• Business toxics disposal

Motor Oil

• Search for motor oil/filter drop-off locations
• Curbside motor oil recycling

Special Wastes

• Electronics
• Fluorescent lamps/CFLs
• Household batteries
• Medications/pharmaceuticals
• Mercury thermostats
• Paint
• Syringes/needles
• Treated wood

Related topics

• Less toxic pest management

Syringes/needles “sharps”

It’s illegal to dispose of home-generated sharps in the garbage.
Beginning on September 1, 2008, State law (Section 118286) of the California Health and Safety Code) made it illegal to dispose of home-generated sharps waste in the trash or recycling containers.  The law also requires that all sharps waste be transported to a collection center in an approved sharps container. When thrown in the trash, sharps can injure sanitation workers.

Sharps include hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for the delivery of medications used in the care of people and animals. Once the syringe is no longer with the needle and no longer capable of piercing the skin, it can be disposed in the garbage assuming it’s home-generated waste.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently only lists the "Disintegrator" as a needle destruction device approved for use by self-injectors. Do not attempt to remove, bend, break or recap the needle.  Also, note that empty medication vials can be disposed in the garbage.

Remember that:

• Don't put sharps in soda cans, milk cartons, glass bottles or in any containers that are not puncture resistant. Coffee cans are not recommended because the plastic lids come off easily and may leak.
• Syringes/needles must be in an FDA-approved sharps container. 
• The only legal way to transport used sharps is in an FDA-approved sharps container.
• The container must be labeled "Sharps."
• Don't mix sharps with any other waste, including discarded medications or other pharmaceuticals.

1. Mail back disposal options: for residents
Use FDA-approved mail-back and safe syringe disposal containers. The following companies offer pre-paid return service programs. In addition, most pharmacies sell FDA-approved mail-back and safe syringe disposal containers.

Enserv, LLC   www.medserve.com
(713) 580-4000

EnviroMed Safety & Compliance   www.enviromedinc.com
(877) 340-2430

GRP Mail Back Sharps Disposal   www.sharpsdisposal.com
(800) 207-0976

Sharps Compliance   www.sharpsinc.com
(800) 772-5657

Stericycle   www.stericycle.com/mailback_programs/sharps.html
(800) 355-8773

WCM (Waste & Compliance Management)   www.homesharpsdisposal.com
(877) 436-5480

WM (Waste Management Healthcare Solutions)   www.healthcare.wm.com 
(866) 803-7561

XMED Disposal   www.xmeddisposal.com
(866) 735-9709

2. Drop-off syringes/needles in an FDA-approved container at the following locations: for residents
Some offer syringe collection and disposal on-site for customers purchasing FDA-approved containers.

Asepsis Bio Group, Inc.   www.asepsisbiogroupinc.com
(800) 593-2737
By appointment. Drop-off, pick up & fee.

Dollar Drug   www.dollardrug.com
1055 W. College Ave.  
Santa Rosa  (707) 575-1313
Drop-off & fee.

Healdsburg District Hospital   www.nschd.org
1375 University St. 
Healdsburg   (707) 431-6500
Drop-off.

Kaiser Permanente-Petaluma
3900 Lakeville Hwy.
Petaluma  (707) 765-3420
Drop-off: Kaiser patients only.

Lark Drugs Guerneville
16251 Main St.
Guerneville  (707) 869-9055
Drop-off & fee.

Medicine Shoppe   www.medicineshoppe.com
300 Washington St.
Petaluma  (707) 778-6363
Drop-off.

3. Dispose of sharps through the Agency's Hazardous Waste programs: for residents & businesses

For residents
Household Toxics Facility
Community Toxics Collections
Toxic Rover Pickup Service

For businesses
Household Toxics Facility
Community Toxics Collections