Do…
- Sharps waste should be placed in a State approved container. Check availability at designated distribution sites listed below.
- Another alternative is to place your sharps waste in a container that does not leak, break, or puncture. It must be taped, sealed, and labeled “SHARPS.”
- When your sharps container is about 3/4 full, seal it securely.
- Keep your sharps containers out of reach of children and pets.
- Take your filled sharps containers to a designated collection site.
Do Not…
- Do not flush your sharps waste or medications down the toilet or drain.
- Do not place your sharps waste in the trash, green waste, or recycling bin.
- Do not put needles into used plastic milk jugs, bleach bottles, or soda bottles.
Distribution Sites Only
Pick up your FREE sharps container at any of the following distribution sites.
(Containers are limited to one per person per visit, while supplies last.)
Drop-off Locations
- Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship – CalRecycle Home Page
- Los Angeles County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events
- Los Angeles County Environmental Permanent Collection Centers
- City of Los Angeles SAFE Centers
- Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health Offices
- County of Los Angeles Sheriff Stations
The County offers a mail-back Sharps Waste disposal program that is limited to ONLY elderly and disabled residents. To request a mail-back container, please call our hotline at 1(888) CLEAN LA or complete the form on this link Mail Services for Disposal – MED-Project.
Individuals requiring reasonable accessibility accommodations may request written materials in alternate formats, physical accessibility accommodations, sign language interpreters or other reasonable accommodations by contacting our departmental Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator at (626) 458-4081, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays).
Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make contact by first dialing the California Relay Service at 7-1-1. Requests should be made at least one week in advance to ensure availability. When making a reasonable accommodation request, please reference Environmental Programs Division.