New Waste Law Impacts Home "Sharps" Disposal

Beginning September 1, 2008, home users of medical sharps including syringes, needles and lancets, can no longer put sharps waste in the trash. Approximately 75,000 “sharps” are generated in homes every day in San Diego County. Disposal options and resources are available at the Community Health Division's household sharps information web page.

A fact sheet for healthcare providers was developed by the Department of Environmental Health’s Hazardous Materials Division with pertinent information.