New Syringe Disposal Regulations

Each year, 8 million people in the United States use more than 3 billion needles, syringes and lancets - also called sharps - to manage medical conditions at home. Improper disposal methods may lead to haphazard disposal habits and increased and an increased community exposure to the sharps. People at the greatest risk on being stuck by used sharps include garbage and sewer treatment workers, janitors and housekeepers and children.

Due to the many hazards that unsafe disposal practices present , effective Sep. 1 2008, the California Health and Safety Code prohibits anyone from knowingly placing home generated sharps waste in garbage, recycling and green waste containers for disposal. Sharps shall be transported in approved sharps waste disposal containers to either the Sacramento County North Area Recovery Station Household Waste Drop-off or the City of Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off for proper disposal.  

 If you do not have an approved sharp container, you may also use:

• Strong plastic containers so needles can't poke through with a small opening on the top with a cap or lid that screws on tightly to prevent spills. Examples include: a plastic bleach jug, plastic liquid detergent bottle or plastic milk jug. Do not use glass containers (they break) or lightweight plastic containers
• Sharps mail back services approved by the California Department of Public Health

For more sharps waste disposal options and other useful information, including a Medical Waste Disposal Directory, visit http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/HHW/Sharps#Disposal.