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 April 1, 2024, CalRecycle received 2025 annual program budgets (covered drugs/sharps) from The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation.
- On March 29, 2024, CalRecycle received 2023 annual reports (covered drugs/sharps) from MED-Project and The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation and 2025 annual program budgets (covered drugs/sharps) from MED-Project.
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.
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