Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Program Information for Jurisdictions
This page includes information about the Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Programs for jurisdictions such as county governments and other local agencies.
Home-Generated Sharps Waste
Local Agency Requests
Under the Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Law, a program operator must do one of the following in response to a local agency request:
- Provide removal of the home-generated sharps waste from the household hazardous waste facility, or
- Provide reimbursement for the actual costs of transportation from the household hazardous waste facility and for the actual costs of disposal of home-generated sharps waste.
A program operator shall respond to requests by local agencies within 14 days of receipt of the request and identify the method to resolve the request by selecting either reimbursement or removal from the household hazardous waste facility. A program operator that selects to resolve a request through reimbursement to a local agency shall issue payment within 45 days of receipt of the local agency’s invoice. A program operator that provides for the removal of the home-generated sharps waste from the household hazardous waste facility shall do so as often as required in section 117904 of the Health and Safety Code or by the local enforcement authority.
Note: A local agency shall not knowingly request reimbursement for disposal costs resulting from a municipal needle exchange program or a medical waste generator.
A cost is eligible for reimbursement if a local agency incurs the cost 270 days or more after CalRecycle approved the stewardship plan of a program operator from which a local agency requests the reimbursement.
Visit the Home-Generated Sharps Stewardship Plans webpage for approved plan(s) and program operator contact information.
Pharmaceutical Waste
There are no requirements for local governments to host collection receptacles or provide mail-back materials, but some voluntary efforts may already exist and can continue to operate.
Local Ordinance Repeal
This statewide program does not apply to a drug or sharp within a jurisdiction that has a local stewardship program ordinance that took effect before April 18, 2018. Such a jurisdiction has the option to repeal its ordinance. If repealed, the CalRecycle approved statewide program(s) would be required to operate within, and provide services to, that jurisdiction.
The following table provides a non-exhaustive list of California Jurisdictions with Local Stewardship Program Ordinances that took effect before April 18, 2018. The list may not include all local jurisdictions and may not reflect whether a local ordinance has been repealed.
Stewardship Program Ordinances
| Jurisdictions | Pharmaceuticals | Sharps |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | Yes | Yes |
| Contra Costa County (unincorporated) | Yes | No |
| Marin County | Yes | No |
| San Francisco City and County | Yes | No |
| San Luis Obispo County | Yes | Yes |
| San Mateo County | Yes | No |
| Santa Barbara County | Yes | No |
| Santa Clara County | Yes | Yes |
| City of Capitola | Yes | Yes |
| City of Scotts Valley | Yes | Yes |
| City of Watsonville | Yes | Yes |
This page provides a brief overview and is not intended to provide a comprehensive list of legal requirements. Please refer to statute and regulations for a complete list of requirements. Users are encouraged to seek the assistance of legal counsel to comply with applicable state law based on their pertinent facts and circumstances.