Sharps and Needles
Home-generated sharps waste includes hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for the delivery of medications derived from a household including multi-family residences. Sharps waste may NEVER be disposed of in the curbside waste containers or flushed down the toilet.
California’s Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Programs provide safe and convenient disposal options for home-generated sharps at no cost to the consumer.
All sharps waste must be placed in a strong, plastic State-approved container or in a mail-back package that can be ordered here. Mail-back packages are available at no charge to residents. Solana Beach residents can also drop off State-approved containers at EDCO’s Certified Recycling Center located at 224 S. Las Posas Road, San Marcos (call ahead at 760-744-2700 to check hours) or at another nearby disposal site found here.
When disposing sharps waste, make sure the sharps waste container does not leak, break, or puncture. The container must be taped, sealed, and labeled “SHARPS.” When the sharps container is about 3/4 full, seal it securely. Keep the sharps containers out of reach of children and pets.
Still unsure? Visit safeneedledisposal.org/states/california/ to learn more about how to properly dispose of sharps.
For more information about general waste disposal in Solana Beach: