See www.safeneedledisposal.org for general information.
There is a recently signed California state law prohibiting needle disposal in solid-waste and recycling containers starting September 2008.
Orange County offers several disposal methods. The County of Orange Integrated Waste Management Department recommends the following guidelines regarding household generated "sharps" waste.
1. Sharps are to be placed in a rigid, leak proof container with a secure lid ( plastic bleach or laundry detergent container)
2. When the container is full, disinfect the contents by adding a small amount of bleach solution to the container (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Tightly seal the lid and shake the container to make sure all of the contents are exposed to the solution.
3. Pour the liquid solution into your sewer drain ( toilet, kitchen sink), making sure no sharps get into the drain.
4. Tightly close the lid and tape shut to prevent accidental opening.
5. Dispose in the regular trash can (not recycle bin)
Contact Orange County for a list of approved Home Generated Sharps Consolidation Points, or for any other questions regarding proper disposal. (714) 433-6000.
http://www.ochealthinfo.com/regulatory/medwaste.htm
Different cities have different requirements for disposal, so check with the city & local refuse company where you live.
In Costa Mesa contact
Mail back service
The mail back service provides the proper red sharps disposal container and when full, these are taken to the post office for return to them for disposal. Only the lancet and needle technically need to be disposed of in the sharps container. Cost of containers include return postage and incineration which varies with the size of each container.
Mail-Back services approved by California Department of Health Services include
1. EnviroMed Safety & Compliance (877) 340-2430
www.enviromedinc.com
2. GRP & Associates (800) 207-0976
www.sharpsdisposal.com
3. Medasend, Inc
info@medasend.com or (800) 200-3581
4. Sharps Compliance, Inc. SCI Mail Sharps Disposal System
(800) 772-5657 or www.sharpsinc.com
5. Stericycle, Inc. Sharps mail-back service
(800) 527-0666 or www.stericycle.com
6. WCM (Waste & Compliance Management, Inc.)
(866) 436-9264 or www.wcminc.net
7. Contact www.wastemd.com or call 800-772-5657 for more information about mail back programs or contact the California Department of Health Services, Medical Waste Management Program at (916) 449-5671.
Mission Viejo has a sharps disposal by mail program. Residents will pick up the sharps containers at a pharmacy. After the container is filled with used sharps, the patient can mail it in a prepaid postage box to Sharps Compliance for disposal. Residents will be allotted three containers per year, the first free and $5 each after that.
To reduce container handling and cost, there is a device for cutting needles from syringes.
Safe-Clip can be purchased at pharmacies for $7.00
