Clackamas County, OR Public Health Rules: Syringe Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code § 10.03.140(K)
- Sharps classified as
- infectious waste, § 10.03.030(32)(c)
- Enforcing office
- Dept. of Transportation and Development
- Penalty
- civil penalty set by Board resolution
- Damage cost
- billed to generator under 10.03.140(K)
Summary
Clackamas County Code bars used needles, syringes, lancets and other sharps from the garbage or recycling cart. The Solid Waste and Waste Management Chapter classifies sharps as infectious waste and makes it unlawful under Section 10.03.140(K) to place infectious waste into any receptacle meant for county-franchised collection service.
K. No person shall place hazardous materials, chemicals, paint, corrosive materials, infectious waste or hot ashes into a receptacle intended for collection service. When materials, or customer abuse, or fire, or vandalism causes excessive wear or damage to a receptacle, the cost of repair or replacement may be charged to the collection service customer.
L. No person shall place solid waste or wastes or recyclable materials in a drop box or compactor in an amount that exceeds the legal weight limits of State and local laws, or which exceed the weight limits of the franchised collectors' equipment or manufacturers' specifications.
M. No person shall store putrescible materials in a receptacle in excess of seven (7) days. Said material shall be removed from the premises at regular intervals not to exceed the seven- (7) days.
N. No commercial recycling receptacle shall be constructed of materials other than those approved by the local fire marshal, nor shall the receptacle be placed in a location that violates the local fire ordinance.
O. An inoperable vehicle commonly designed of ferrous metals shall only be collected, transported, and disposed of by the owner of the vehicle or by a licensed auto wrecker or towing company.
P. Pursuant to OAR Chapter 340 no person shall store waste tires without first obtaining a waste tire storage permit from the Department of Environmental Quality.
Full Breakdown
140(K) makes it unlawful for anyone to place infectious waste, along with hazardous materials, chemicals, paint, corrosive materials or hot ashes, into a receptacle intended for franchised collection service. The same subsection lets the collection franchisee bill the customer for repair or replacement costs when a receptacle is damaged by improperly disposed materials, which in practice covers punctures and contamination caused by loose sharps. Because the county code treats this as a solid waste violation rather than a public health licensing matter, there is no county-run needle exchange or sharps take-back program written into this chapter; residents instead route sharps through pharmacy mail-back kiosks, hazardous waste collection events, or a rigid sharps container disposed of through the county's household hazardous waste system rather than the curbside cart. 040, and any franchised hauler that finds sharps mixed into a cart can refuse the load or bill for damage.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Section 10.03.140 is punishable under Section 10.03.400 by a civil penalty set by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners, in addition to any other penalty permitted by state law. The Director can also refer repeat violations to the Compliance Hearings Officer for abatement and cost recovery, and a hauler damaged by improperly bagged sharps may charge the generator directly for the cost of repairing or replacing the receptacle under 10.03.140(K).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I throw used needles in my garbage cart in unincorporated Clackamas County?
What happens if a hauler is hurt or a truck is damaged by loose sharps?
Where should I take household sharps instead?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clackamas County
Compare Clackamas County to another location·View the Oregon public health rules overview
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