California Health & Safety Code §118286 bans home-generated sharps in trash or recycling. Santa Clara County Public Health distributes free SHARP containers and operates syringe exchange and drop-off sites countywide. Mail-back kits are also available through the program.
California Health & Safety Code §118286 has classified home-generated needles, syringes, and lancets as medical waste since 2008, prohibiting disposal in residential garbage, recycling, or down a drain. Sharps must travel from home to a permitted disposal site in an FDA-cleared sharps container or rigid puncture-resistant container labeled biohazard. Santa Clara County Public Health distributes free SHARP-brand collection containers to county residents and operates a network of community drop-off sites through county clinics, the syringe services program, and partnering pharmacies. The SCC Syringe Services Program also distributes sterile supplies and provides safe disposal countywide. Cities pair the program with household hazardous waste roundups operated by County Recycling and Waste Reduction.
Disposing of 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 escalate to medical-waste prosecution carrying jail time and four-figure penalties.
See how Palo Alto's syringe disposal rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.