Beginning September 1, 2008, California law will prohibit the disposal of sharps waste, including needles, syringes and lancets, in the regular trash. Sharps waste poses a risk to trash collectors who may accidentally get stuck by a needle, syringe or lancet and be exposed to a disease. Your children, pets, housekeepers, and janitors may also be at risk of a needle stick if needles are improperly stored or disposed.
Click to watch "Drive Up, Drop Off" (Household Sharps Disposal Locations)
Used sharps may:
- injure people
- spread germs
- spread serious disease like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and tetanus
Sharps should not be:
- thrown in the trash
- flushed down the toilet
- placed in recycling containers
Put Sharps Waste in its Place!
- Ask your health care provider or pharmacist if they take back used needles, lancets, and syringes.
- Take your used needles, lancets, and syringes to drop-off collection sites or household hazardous waste facilities.
- Consider using a "Mail-Back" service for proper disposal. For a list of mail-back service companies, visit California Department of Public Health (fees apply)
Residents of unincorporated communities may take their home-generated medical waste sharps in closed rigid containers no larger than 2 Liters (1/2 gallon) to approved residential sharps collection drop boxes at the following locations:
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Alpine Sheriff Substation
2751 Alpine Blvd.
Alpine, CA 91901
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Julian Sheriff Substation
2907 Washington Street, Bldg. C
Julian, CA 92036
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Borrego Springs Sheriff Substation
571A Palm Canyon Drive
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
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Lakeside Fire Station #3
14008 Hwy 8 Business
El Cajon, CA 92021
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Campo Sheriff Substation
378 Sheridan Rd.
Campo, CA 92006
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Pine Valley Substation
28848 Old Hwy 80
Pine Valley, CA 92062
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Fallbrook Sheriff Substation
388 East Alvarado Street
Fallbrook, CA 92028
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Valley Center Sheriff Substation
28205 N. Lake Wohlford Rd.
Valley Center, CA 92082
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EDCO Station Buyback Center - La Mesa
8184 Commerical St.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 466-3355
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Ramona Disposal Buyback Center
324 Maple St.
Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 789-0516
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EDCO Station Buyback Center - Lemon Grove
6700 Federal Blvd.
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
(619) 287-7555
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EDCO Waste & Recycling Services - San Marcos
224 S. Las Posas Rd
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 744-2700
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Fallbrook Waste & Recycling Services
550 West Aviation Rd.
Fallbrook, CA 92028
(760) 728-6114
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Escondido Disposal Inc.
1044 West Washington Ave.
Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 745-3203
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Sharps Waste brochure for unincorporated area residents (English/Spanish).
For more information on home-generated sharps management in unincorporated areas, or to find out where to pick up a free sharps container, contact the County of San Diego Household Hazardous Hotline at 1-877-R-1-EARTH (877-713-2784).
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