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Needles, Syringes & Lancets = “Sharps”
(FREE for residents that generate needles, syringes and lancets – Sharps Drop-off program* at HHW facility)
*All sharps must to be in an approved bio-hazard container.
Why You Should Be Careful with Sharps
Improper disposal of used or unwanted “sharps” (needles, syringes, lancets and other sharps items) can cause a serious injury and pose health risks to the public and waste workers. Waste workers are exposed to potential needle stick injuries and potential infection when inappropriate containers break open inside garbage trucks or sharps become exposed when sent to recycling facilities. Housekeepers and janitors may also be injured when loose sharps poke through trash bags. Used needles can also cause painful infections and transmit serious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis.
The Law
Beginning on September 1, 2008, State law made it illegal to dispose of home-generated sharps waste in the trash or recycling containers, and requires that all sharps waste be transported to a collection center in an approved bio-hazard sharps container.
The California Health and Safety Code defines "home-generated sharps waste" as hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for the delivery of medications derived from a household, including a multifamily residence or household.
Do the Right Thing ~ It’s as Easy as Saying “1-2-3”
1. Call 1-888-412-9277 and request a FREE sharps collection container
– it will be mailed to you at no cost;
2. Place your used or unwanted “sharps” in the collection container then drop-off the full
container at the HHW Collection Facility at 101 Pittsburg Ave., Richmond;
3. Pick-up a new replacement sharps collection container while at the HHW Collection Facility.
Important Update: Sharps Biohazard Container Information for West County Residents Effective September 1, 2010
Due to increased demand for sharps biohazard containers, we (West County Resource Recovery and Recyclemore) implemented a new policy for obtaining the biohazard container. Effective September 1, 2010, only one will be mailed to new residents/customers requesting a biohazard container. A database will keep track of mailed containers and addresses. If a resident drops off one or more used biohazard containers at the HHW Facility, they will be allowed only one new container. When the mobile collection truck picks up a used biohazard container at a resident's home, only one new container will be given out.
Residents can visit the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) website to find out if the pharmaceutical manufacturer has a free sharps container available. Senate Bill 486, passed in October 2009, required that by July 1, 2010:
“…all pharmaceutical manufacturers that sell or distribute a medication in California that is usually intended to be self-injected at home through the use of a hypodermic needle, pen needle, intravenous needle or any similar device, to 1) submit a plan describing their actions to support or provide for the safe collection and proper disposal of the waste devices, and 2) educate consumers about safe sharps management and collection opportunities.”
The CalRecycle website that lists the manufacturers who have turned in a plan is www.calrecycle.ca.gov/homehazwaste/sharps/reporting/default.htm
If residents need more containers they can ask the pharmacy where they get their medications. For further information about obtaining biohazard containers you may contact:
1) Barnett Medical Services: www.barnettmedservices.com
2) Sharps Compliance Inc.: www.sharpsinc.com
3) Stericycle: www.buysharpsonline.com
5) Waste Management: www.thinkgreenfromhome.com
6) www.earth911.com also has additional information
Most of these companies charge a fee for the containers and are a mail-back system.
We do not endorse any of these companies and do not intend this to be a complete list.
Thank you for your cooperation.