Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship

Unwanted and improperly managed pharmaceutical drugs and home-generated sharps waste present significant public health, safety, and environmental problems at the end of their useful lives.

The Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Program (Public Resources Code (PRC) sections 42030-42036.4) established industry-run statewide pharmaceutical and home-generated sharps waste stewardship program(s) to require safe and convenient disposal options for pharmaceutical drugs and home-generated sharps waste at no cost to the consumer.

Where and How Do I Dispose of Pharmaceuticals?

• MED-Project map of authorized collection sites
• MED-Project mail-back services

How Do I Dispose of Home-Generated Sharps Waste?

• MED-Project sharps waste containers and mail-back services

Sharps Waste Stewardship Program

• Covered Entities
• Stewardship Plans
• Stewardship Budgets
• Annual Reporting
• Listing of Compliant Stewardship Organizations, Covered Entities, and Authorized Collection Sites
• Jurisdictions
• Law
• Regulations

Resources and Contact Information

• Listserv: Subscribe to sign up for email updates related to CalRecycle’s oversight of the Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Law. You can review previous messages by visiting the Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Listserv Archive.
• Public Notices: For public notices related to CalRecycle’s oversight of the Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Law (e.g., department decisions regarding regulations, plan approval, etc.) please visit the CalRecycle public notices page.
• CalRecycle Contact: Please contact pharmasharps@calrecycle.ca.gov for questions or more information.
• Board of Pharmacy Contact: Please contact BOPstewardship@dca.ca.gov for questions or to submit information, pursuant to sections 42031 and 42032(b)(1) of the Public Resources Code.
• California Department of Public Health Contact: Please contact MedicalWaste@cdph.ca.gov for questions.
• California Department of Toxic Substances Control: Please visit this webpage and contact PharmStewardship@dtsc.ca.gov for questions.