Santa Clara County, CA Public Health Rules: Syringe Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Who must comply
- Manufacturers of sharps products
- Drop-off density
- At least 1 site per 20,000 residents
- Mail-back
- Free, on request, countywide
- Plan approval
- By the Director of Public Health
Summary
Sharps manufacturers selling products in Santa Clara County must fund and run a County-approved take-back program, so residents get free mail-back kits and drop-off sites for used needles countywide.
This Chapter requires manufacturers of Sharps and Sharps-Administered Medications to develop, operate, and fund a program or programs for the safe, proper, and convenient disposal of Consumer-Generated Sharps Waste, and to encourage use of such program or programs while discouraging improper disposal of Consumer-Generated Sharps Waste.
(Ord. No. NS-517.92, § 3, 3-6-18)
Sec. B11-561. - Definitions. For the purposes of this Chapter, the following definitions apply:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Chapter XXI requires every manufacturer, called a 'Producer,' of sharps or sharps-administered medications sold in Santa Clara County to join a Stewardship Plan approved by the Director. Plans must offer free mail-back containers and at least one Drop-Off Site per 20,000 County Residents in every Supervisorial District, with never fewer than ten sites per district, and may coordinate Take-Back Events with the county's medication disposal chapter. Producers face notification, plan-filing, and funding deadlines tied to the ordinance's effective date.
Violations & Fines
Producers that fail to join an approved Stewardship Plan, meet the Service Convenience Goal, or pay administrative and operational costs are out of compliance and subject to this Chapter's enforcement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for sharps disposal programs in Santa Clara County?
Where can county residents drop off used needles for free?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
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