How to Dispose of Diabetic Sharps in California
We buy sealed diabetic supplies for cash. We do not sell supplies.
To dispose of sharps in California, put used needles and lancets in a sharps container, then use a drop-off site or a mail-back program. Don't put them in the trash or recycling. In Riverside County, for example, the county says state law makes that illegal.
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This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own care.
Free options are easy to find. Here's how to do it step by step, from the container you use at home to where it goes when it's full.
What counts as a sharp?
A sharp is anything that can poke or cut skin. For diabetes, that includes:
- Lancets
- Pen needles
- Syringes
- Infusion set needles
Used CGM sensors and pod applicators can have a small needle or metal part. Follow the maker's instructions and your local rules for those.
If you're not sure whether something counts, treat it as a sharp. It's safer to put an item in the container than to risk a stick. Your local program can tell you for sure.
The FDA says used sharps can hurt people and spread infection if they're thrown away the wrong way. That includes trash workers and family members.
Can sharps in California go in trash?
No. Riverside County says that since September 1, 2008, California law has made it illegal to put home sharps in the trash or recycling. The rule is in Health and Safety Code section 118286.
That means a coffee can in the kitchen trash isn't OK. Neither is a bag or a loose needle in the recycling bin.
This rule covers every home, not just yours. If you're caring for someone else, the same rules apply to their sharps. It's a good idea to set up a container in each place sharps get used.
Other counties point to the same rule. Your county's waste page will tell you the local drop-off options, and the table below links to each one.
What container should you use?
The FDA says to put used sharps in a sharps container right after use. An FDA-cleared container is the best choice. You can buy one at most pharmacies.
No FDA-cleared container on hand? Ask your local program what it accepts before you use anything else. Rules can differ from county to county, and some sites only take approved containers.
The FDA also says to stop when the container is about three-quarters full. Then close it tightly.
Keep the container in one spot where you use your supplies, like a bathroom shelf. If it's handy, you'll use it every time.
Some programs have rules on size. Riverside County's kiosks take containers that are 1 gallon or smaller, and no loose needles or bags.
How to get a free mail-back container
California has a free program for this. CalRecycle says you can get a free sharps container with mail-back through Sharps Take Back California.
Here's how it works:
- Order a container at sharpstakebackcalifornia.org, or call (844) 482-5322.
- Use it at home until it's about three-quarters full.
- Seal it and mail it back in the packaging provided.
CalRecycle says the program comes at no cost to you. It's a good choice if you don't live near a drop-off site. It's also handy if you don't drive, or if you'd rather not make an extra trip.
Order a new container before your current one fills up. That way, you never have a gap with nowhere safe to put a used needle.
Where can you drop off sharps?
Your county runs drop-off options. Check the one for where you live:
| County | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Riverside | Free kiosks and HHW sites |
| San Bernardino | County Fire HHW program |
| Los Angeles | Public Works HHW program |
| Orange | OC Waste & Recycling |
Call ahead before you go. Hours can change, and some sites need an appointment. Ask what kind of container they take, too.
The FDA lists other options too, like drop boxes, mail-back and pickup programs. Call your city if you're not sure what's near you.
How to avoid needle sticks
A few habits keep everyone safe:
- Put sharps in the container right after use.
- Never recap a used needle by hand.
- Never push down on what's in the container.
- Keep containers out of reach of children and pets.
Label the container as sharps if it isn't already. That way, no one opens it by mistake.
Traveling? Bring a small travel sharps container. It keeps used needles safe until you get home or find a drop-off site.
A real-life example
Say you live in Riverside and use pen needles every day. Your old plan was a plastic bottle in the kitchen trash. Then you learn that isn't allowed.
You order a free mail-back container through Sharps Take Back California. It sits on a high shelf in your bathroom. When it's about three-quarters full, you seal it and mail it back.
Now you never have to drive anywhere. And no one in your house, or on the trash truck, gets stuck.
Now say you live in San Bernardino County instead. You might keep your container in a closet and drop it at a county HHW site when it's full. Both ways follow the rules. Pick the one that fits your week.
Have sealed supplies you no longer need? We buy sealed, unused boxes. See what we buy, or read what to do with extra supplies.
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Questions
Can I throw needles in the trash in California?
No. Riverside County says state law has made it illegal since 2008 to put home sharps in the trash or recycling.
Where can I get a free sharps container?
CalRecycle says you can get a free container with mail-back through Sharps Take Back California. Order online or call (844) 482-5322.
How full should a sharps container be?
The FDA says to stop at about three-quarters full. Then close it tightly and drop it off or mail it back.
Are lancets sharps?
Yes. Lancets, pen needles, syringes and infusion set needles all count as sharps.
Have sealed supplies to sell?
Used sharps in California go in a container and then to a drop-off or mail-back program. Sealed, unused supplies are different. We buy sealed, unexpired CGM sensors, Omnipod pods and test strips. Send a photo for a free quote.