California Health & Safety Code §118286 bans putting home-generated sharps in regular trash or recycling. LA County operates seven S.A.F.E. Centers and rotating household hazardous waste roundups countywide for free drop-off. Mail-back kits are also available.
Since September 2008, California Health & Safety Code §118286 has classified home-generated needles, syringes, and lancets as medical waste that may not be discarded in residential garbage, recycling, or down a drain. Sharps must travel from home to a permitted disposal site only inside an FDA-cleared sharps container or a rigid puncture-resistant container labeled biohazard. LA County Public Works runs S.A.F.E. (Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, Electronics) Collection Centers in seven locations countywide plus mobile household hazardous waste roundups that accept sharps from residents at no charge. Many pharmacies and hospitals also serve as authorized take-back sites, and LACDPH distributes mail-back kits through the Sharps Mail-Back Program.
Disposing sharps in regular trash is an infraction under Health & Safety Code §118286 with fines up to $100 per violation. Repeat dumping or commercial-quantity violations can escalate to medical-waste prosecution carrying jail time and four-figure penalties.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Inglewood, CA
Inglewood is not located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The city is a flat, urbanized community with minimal wildfire risk. Standard fire codes ap...
Inglewood, CA
Properties must maintain defensible space per CA PRC 4291 where applicable. Inglewood is largely urbanized flatland with limited wildfire risk. Weed and wast...
Inglewood, CA
Inglewood allows recreational fire pits under SCAQMD and city fire department guidelines. Fire pits must use clean-burning fuels, be located away from struct...
Inglewood, CA
All fireworks, including so-called 'safe and sane' fireworks, are illegal in Inglewood. The city enforces a complete ban on the sale, possession, and use of ...
Inglewood, CA
Inglewood parks have posted closing hours. The city operates multiple parks including the Swimming Pool Complex at Vincent Park. After-hours park access is s...
Inglewood, CA
Inglewood enforces a juvenile curfew consistent with LA County standards. Exceptions include minors accompanied by parents, traveling to/from work, or attend...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle syringe disposal.
See how Inglewood's syringe disposal rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.