Safe Disposal of Sharps and Pharmaceuticals
Lakewood is working to help residents keep their “sharps” and expired medications out of normal trash, as required by state law.
“Sharps” are hypodermic needles, intravenous needles or lancets used to penetrate the skin for the delivery of medications -- often for insulin.
Please refer to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Sharps Waste Collection Program website for additional information and a complete listing of designated distribution and collection sites throughout the county.
Official Program Brochure(PDF, 287KB)
Waste Hotline: (888) Clean-LA
Sharps Collection Tips
The safest way to collect and dispose of sharps waste is to use only state-approved sharps containers, similar to the one pictured above. Check availability at the distribution sites or ask your pharmacist or doctor for one.
If you do not have a state-approved sharps container, you can use a heavy-duty clean bleach or detergent bottle to collect used sharps. Do not use plastic water bottles, as they will puncture.
All sharps disposal containers should be:
- Made of a heavy-duty plastic;
- Able to close with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out;
- Upright and stable during use;
- Leak resistant;
- Properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container;
- Filled only 3/4 full (not to the top) and sealed securely when ready for disposal; and
- Kept out of reach of children and pets.
When full, seal the top of the container with tape and be sure the container is labeled "SHARPS."
Take the container to an approved site (see below) for safe disposal.
Sharps Disposal
Sharps should be collected for disposal in a heavy-duty plastic household container, such as a liquid laundry detergent container. Unprotected medical “sharps” are not accepted. See guidelines above for a safe container.
You can dispose of safely contained sharps:
- By dropping your sealed container of syringes and other medical sharps in the white drop-off “mailbox” located near the front entrance to the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station.
- By bringing your sealed container to the EDCO facility during their 2nd and 4th Saturday collection events, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. See the flyer here.(PDF, 2MB)
Do not flush your sharps or medications down the toilet or drain.
Do not place your sharps in the trash, green waste, or recycling bin.
Disposing of expired prescription drugs
Unwanted or expired medications may not be flushed down the drain, because wastewater treatment plants are not able to remove pharmaceuticals from waste water.
Saving unused or expired medications can also pose a danger to small children who may find and swallow the products. Or they can get into the hands of experimenting teenagers.
As drop-off boxes have been removed from the Lakewood Sheriff's station, you can bring expired medications to the EDCO facility in Signal Hill during their regular 2nd and 4th Saturday collection events, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For details, click here for the EDCO flyer.(PDF, 2MB)
Additionally, you may take your expired medications to a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Event, which are held in various locations in L.A. County. Click to view the County's calendar for HHW events.
Walgreens pharmacies also offer pharmaceutical disposal kiosks during regular pharmacy hours (24 hours a day at most kiosk locations).
FAQs
What is Home-Generated Sharps Waste?
“Home-generated sharps waste” means hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for the delivery of medications derived from a household, including a multifamily residence or household
Can I Throw my Sharps in the Trash?
No, it is illegal. If you self-inject at home, State law prohibits disposal of your sharps in the trash.
Where Do I Place My Sharps Once They Have Been Used?
You must place your sharps in a proper container. You can pick one up for free at the County’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection events or at the City of Los Angeles’ S.A.F.E. centers. Another alternative is to place them in a container that does not leak, break, or puncture. It must be taped sealed and labeled “SHARPS.” Do not flush your sharps or medications down the toilet or drain. Do not place your sharps in the trash, green waste, or recycling bin.
Once Filled, How Can I Dispose of My Sharps Container?
When your sharps container is about 3/4 full, seal it tightly (per the instructions on the container) and take it to any of the County’s free Household Hazardous Waste Collection events, the Antelope Valley Environmental Collection Center (AVECC), the City of Los Angeles’ S.A.F.E. Centers, or a Department of Public Health clinic. What happens when sharps are not properly disposed? Sanitation and landfill workers or anyone that handles your trash can be injured. Also, leakage may occur from leftover liquid in sharps and contaminate groundwater, rivers, and the ocean.