Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship

California has industry-run statewide stewardship programs that provide safe and convenient disposal options for pharmaceutical and home-generated sharps waste at no cost to the consumer.

Program News

On August 23, 2024, MED-Project notified CalRecycle of proposed changes to its stewardship plan for home-generated sharps waste. CalRecycle is reviewing the proposal as a significant change.
On July 31, 2024, CalRecycle issued Notices to The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation regarding disapproval of its 2025 annual program budgets (covered drugs/sharps).
On July 29, 2024, CalRecycle issued Notices to The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation regarding disapproval of its 2023 annual reports (covered drugs/sharps).
On July 1, 2024, CalRecycle issued compliance determinations for The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation’s 2025 annual program budgets (covered drugs/sharps).
On June 27, 2024, CalRecycle issued compliance determinations for MED-Project’s and The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation’s 2023 annual reports (covered drugs/sharps) and for MED-Project’s 2025 annual program budgets (covered drugs/sharps).

Read the law and regulations for details.

Watch a short video about California’s new statewide pharmaceutical and sharps waste programs.

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Where and How Do I Dispose of Pharmaceuticals?

To find disposal drop-off locations or obtain mail-back supplies, visit medtakebackcalifornia.org or call (844) 4-TAKE-BACK or (844) 482-5322.

How Do I Dispose of Home-Generated Sharps Waste?

To order a free sharps waste container with mail-back materials, visit sharpstakebackcalifornia.org or call (844) 4-TAKE-BACK or (844) 482-5322.

Pharmaceutical Waste Stewardship Program

Sharps Waste Stewardship Program

More Information

CalRecycle Public Notices page
To report a suspected issue, use the pharma sharps referral system.
Contact pharmasharps@calrecycle.ca.gov for questions or more information.

This page is not intended to provide legal determinations or contain a comprehensive list of legal requirements.

Contact the Board of Pharmacy at BOPstewardship@dca.ca.gov for questions or to submit information pursuant to PRC 42031 and 42032(b)(1).
Contact the California Department of Public Health at MedicalWaste@cdph.ca.gov for medical waste questions.
Visit the California Department of Toxic Substances Control Pharmaceuticals and Sharps webpage and contact PharmStewardship@dtsc.ca.gov for questions about hazardous waste management.