Sharps (Used Household Needles and Syringes) Disposal

Disposing of used needles, syringes and lancets (sharps) in the garbage can injure family members, the public or your garbage collector. We have safe convenient alternatives to throwing used household sharps in the garbage.

It's as easy as

1. Purchase a sharps container from your local pharmacy.
2. Place used household sharps in the container. Keep out of reach of children.
3. Bring the full, closed container to one of the listed facilities for free disposal.

Do NOT throw the sharps container in the garbage.

The following County Fire stations have drop-off locations for used household needles and syringes:

• Cupertino
• Shannon
• West Valley

Recepticals that resemble mailboxes are clearly marked, and located outside the stations. Sharps containers deposited in the receptical are picked up by Santa Clara County Environmental Health.

Sharps disposable containers can be purchased at local pharmacies, $2-4 for a quart size container. If you have further questions, contact the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Medical Waste Management Programs at 408.918-3400. They can also provide free sharps containers.

Other Disposal Options:

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Hotline Number: 408.299.7300

• Call for an appointment
• Call the HHW Program Hotline for the facility closest to you

Sunnyvale Materials and Recovery Transfer (SMaRT) Station
408.752.8530

San Martin Transfer Station
408.683.4443

Palo Alto Recycling Center (Palo Alto residents only)
650.496.6980

Some Neighborhood Fire Stations
408.918.3400