Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship
California’s Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Programs provide safe and convenient disposal options for pharmaceutical and home-generated sharps waste at no cost to the consumer. CalRecycle oversees the programs, which are run by MED-Project and The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation, the nonprofit stewardship organizations created by pharmaceutical and sharps manufacturers and other entities within the distribution chain.
Program News
- On October 16, 2025, CalRecycle approved MED-Project’s revised 2024 annual reports for covered drugs and home-generated sharps waste.
- On September 16, 2025, CalRecycle approved proposed changes to The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation’s stewardship plan for home-generated sharps waste regarding its mail-back program and metrics for education and outreach.
- On August 28, 2025, CalRecycle approved proposed changes to The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation’s stewardship plan for home-generated sharps waste regarding local agency requests.
- On August 21, 2025, CalRecycle disapproved proposed changes to The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation’s stewardship plan for covered drugs regarding reasonable geographic spread.
Read the law and regulations for details.
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
- CalRecycle Public Notices page
- To report a suspected issue, use the pharma sharps referral system.
- 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.