Senate Bill 486: Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Sharps Disposal Plans Listing

Pharmaceutical manufacturers that sell medication that is intended to be self-injected at home with hypodermic needles and other similar devices must submit plans to CalRecycle annually by July 1 that describe how the manufacturer supports the safe collection and proper disposal of the waste devices.

The plan is required to describe the actions taken by the manufacturer (if any) to do the following:

  • Provide for the safe collection and proper disposal of the waste devices.
  • Educate consumers about safe management and collection opportunities.
  • Support efforts by retailers, pharmaceutical distributors, manufacturers of injection devices, and other partners, including local governments, health care organizations, public health officers, solid waste service providers, and other groups with interest in protecting public health and safety through safe collection and proper disposal of waste devices.

For more information, read the law or review the questions and answers below.

CalRecycle has received sharps collection and disposal plans from the entities listed below. CalRecycle will also post any other voluntarily submitted sharps collection and waste disposal plans from entities not required to submit plans at the bottom of this listing. See additional disclaimers at the bottom of this page.

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     YearSharps Disposal Plan
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    Note: Plans showing a previous year date stamp notified CalRecycle that their existing plan could continue to be used without change. Additional plans will be posted here as they are received. Inclusion in this listing does not constitute CalRecycle's endorsement of the company or its product(s). CalRecycle makes no determination that the lists are complete, current, or accurate. Other disclaimers apply. To add or remove companies from the lists, contact pharmasharps@calrecycle.ca.gov . Such changes are subject to the discretion of CalRecycle.

    Questions and Answers

    The pharmaceutical manufacturers affected by SB 486 must describe how their actions educate consumers about the collection and proper disposal of waste devices. Options may include:

    • Funding the plan.
    • Providing solutions for sharps collection, disposal, and education.
    • Taking actions that support sharps collection, disposal, and education.
    • Helping to fund the efforts of other parties involved with collection, disposal, and education, etc.

    SB 486 does not specify the level of detail, so all options are available to pharmaceutical manufacturers.

    CalRecycle will not evaluate the sharps collection and disposal plans since it is not mandated by SB 486.

    With the passage of SB 212, Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Act ( Public Resources Code sections 42030-42036.4 ), in 2018, California now has industry-run statewide stewardship programs that provide safe and convenient disposal options for home-generated sharps. Program Operators implementing an approved sharps waste stewardship plan must provide or initiate distribution of a sharps waste container and mail-back materials at or prior to the point of sale, at no cost to the consumer. Information on sharps waste disposal options can be found on CalRecycle’s Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship webpage.