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 September 15, 2023, CalRecycle issued completeness determinations for UltiMed’s 2022 annual report and its 2024 annual program budget for home-generated sharps waste.
- On August 21, 2023, CalRecycle received MED-Project’s 2022 annual reports (covered drugs/sharps) and 2024 annual program budgets (covered drugs/sharps), and The Foundation’s 2022 annual report for home-generated sharps waste pursuant to the compliance determinations issued on June 21, 2023.
- On August 18, 2023, CalRecycle received UltiMed’s 2022 annual report and 2024 annual program budget for home-generated sharps waste pursuant to the completeness determinations issued on July 20, 2023.
- On August 16, 2023, CalRecycle issued compliance determinations for The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation’s 2022 annual report for covered drugs and its 2024 annual program budgets (covered drugs/sharps).
- UltiMed, Inc. notified CalRecycle that it terminated its home-generated sharps waste stewardship plan. The effective date of the termination is February 17, 2023.
Where and How Do I Dispose of Pharmaceuticals?
- MED-Project: map of authorized collection sites and mail-back services
- The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation: map of authorized collection sites and mail-back services
How Do I Dispose of Home-Generated Sharps Waste?
- MED-Project: sharps waste containers and mail-back services
- The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation: sharps waste containers and mail-back services
More Information
- Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Listserv and Archive.
- CalRecycle Public Notices page
- To report a suspected issue, use the pharma sharps referral system.
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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.
For more information contact: Pharmaceutical and Sharps Unit, PharmaSharps@calrecycle.ca.gov