California prohibits putting used syringes in trash or recycling; Twain Harte residents must use Tuolumne County sharps drop-off sites or mail-back kits.
Public Resources Code section 118286 makes it illegal to dispose of home-generated sharps in household waste anywhere in California. Twain Harte residents using insulin pens, EpiPens, or injectable medications must place sharps in FDA-cleared containers and bring them to authorized collection sites. Tuolumne County participates in a household hazardous waste program with periodic drop-off events at the Cal Sierra Disposal facility. Pharmacies and the county also sell mail-back kits. Improper disposal endangers waste haulers and remote septic and water system workers in the Stanislaus National Forest area.
Improper sharps disposal is an infraction under PRC 118286, with fines and potential cleanup cost liability.
See how Twain Harte's syringe disposal rules stack up against other locations.
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