Medical 'sharps' are classified as needle devices used for injecting medication. Many 'at home injectors' are unaware that the disposal of this medical waste in household trash is generally prohibited. Additionally, the presence of these devices in household trash and in some instances curbside recycling bins, pose a potential health and safety risk to waste management workers.

The Problem

It's estimated that nearly 400 million sharps are disposed of in California annually. With efforts to maximize waste reduction and recycling increase, much of the residential waste streams are manually culled by waste management workers to retrieve recyclables as well as remove banned materials (e-waste and metallic discards). During this process, workers risk exposure to sharps.

What Do We Do Now?

In 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 1305 (Figueroa), closing a loophole in existing law by prohibiting the disposal of these sharps in the municipal solid waste stream, while reducing regulatory burdens on those that would operate programs for proper management of these devices. The ban goes into effect September 1, 2008.

While some local government Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs have incorporated sharps collection, opportunities for proper management remain inconsistent from community to community.

The availability of 'at home' injection of medication has provided consumers with added convenience and lower overall medical costs. But these same consumers should be provided with a free and convenient opportunity to properly manage these devices (as evidenced in the picture above, taken at a Sacramento store that provides sharps disposal).

How to Properly Dispose of Your Sharps

• There are different ways to properly dispose of your medical sharps waste. Check out the opportunities available on the CIWMB's website. Also check with your local government and local pharmacy to see if they have more information about proper disposal.

More information

• Learn more about SB 1305.
• Read about what the state is doing about sharps disposal at the CIWMB's webpage.