MEDICAL WASTE

Safe methods of disposal for medical wastes such as sharps or needles are necessary for many people who may routinely check their own blood levels or give themselves medical injections.  Be extremely careful; if these needles are not properly disposed of, they could injure collection or landfill employees.

The IWMA operates a Home Generated Sharps Disposal Program.  Needles, syringes, lancet and other sharp objects should be placed in a sturdy container such as a coffee can or liquid detergent bottle.  When the container is full, bring it to one of our household hazardous waste facilities and dispose of it in our designated container.  This service is free to households.  Please No Businesses!

Remember, always handle sharps with care.
Never dispose of sharps in the garbage.
Store out of reach of children.
This information is useful no matter where you live. Safety is universal.

The following mail-back services are approved by the California Department of Public Health:

EnviroMed Safety & Compliance
(877) 340-2430

GRP & Associates
(800) 207-0976

Medasend Biomedical, Inc – Sharps mail-back service
(800) 200-3581

Sharps Compliance, Inc. SCI Mail Sharps Disposal System
(800) 772-5657

Stericycle, Inc. - Sharps mail-back service
(800) 355-8773 or (800) 527-0666

WCM (Waste & Compliance Management, Inc.)
(866) 436-9264

For additional information on requirements for use of these mail-back services, contact the California Department of Health Services, Medical Waste Program at (916) 449-5671 or visit them online at: 

http://ww2.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/medicalwaste/Documents/MedicalWaste/mailback.pdf

Don't forget online resources such as Earth-Shield Sharps Disposal System.

Physicians offices, dental offices and hospitals which create a large volume of medical and infectious waste may not dispose of these wastes in the trash.  The California Department of Health Services Medical Waste Management Program regulates businesses in San Luis Obispo County which generate medical and infectious waste.  For more information on proper disposal of these wastes, contact the California Department of Health Services Waste Management Program at (916) 449-5671 (fax: 916-449-5665) or the San Luis Obispo County Department of Environmental Health at 781-5544.

State law specifically prohibits disposing of medical waste such as prescription medicine, other pharmaceuticals or over-the-counter remedies (except for sharps) at IWMA Household Hazardous Waste drop off facilities. For more information on proper disposal of medical wastes other than sharps, contact the California Department of Health Services Waste Management Program at (916) 449-5671 (fax: 916-449-5665) or the San Luis Obispo County Department of Environmental Health at 781-5544.