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 July 31, 2024, CalRecycle issued Notices to The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation regarding disapproval of its 2025 annual program budgets (covered drugs/sharps).
- On July 29, 2024, CalRecycle issued Notices to The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation regarding disapproval of its 2023 annual reports (covered drugs/sharps).
- On July 1, 2024, CalRecycle issued compliance determinations for The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation’s 2025 annual program budgets (covered drugs/sharps).
- On June 27, 2024, CalRecycle issued compliance determinations for MED-Project’s and The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation’s 2023 annual reports (covered drugs/sharps) and for MED-Project’s 2025 annual program budgets (covered drugs/sharps).
- On April 29, 2024, CalRecycle issued completeness determinations for MED-Project’s and The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation’s 2023 annual reports (covered drugs/sharps) and 2025 annual program budgets (covered drugs/sharps).
- 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.
Read the law and regulations for details.
Get Email Updates About Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship
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.
![Spilled pill bottles](https://calrecycle.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2022/01/2-column-430x300-21.png)
![Disposing needle into container](https://calrecycle.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2022/01/2-column-430x300-46.png)
![sacramento downtown aerial view](https://calrecycle.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2023/05/Sacramento-downtown--e1683231486861.jpeg)
More Information
- CalRecycle Public Notices page
- To report a suspected issue, use the pharma sharps referral system.
- Contact [email protected] 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 [email protected] for questions or to submit information pursuant to PRC 42031 and 42032(b)(1).
- Contact the California Department of Public Health at [email protected] for medical waste questions.
- Visit the California Department of Toxic Substances Control Pharmaceuticals and Sharps webpage and contact [email protected] for questions about hazardous waste management.
For more information contact: Pharmaceutical and Sharps Unit, [email protected]