What You Need to Know About Proper Disposal of Medications, Sharps, and Inhalers

Safely getting rid of unused medications, needles, and inhalers protects your health, your community, and the environment. California has strengthened its laws to make proper disposal easier than ever—so there’s no reason to toss these items in the trash or flush them down the drain. Here’s what every California resident should know about safely disposing of these materials.

Medications – How and Where to Dispose

Don’t flush medications or throw them in the trash. Pharmaceuticals can contaminate water supplies and pose poisoning risks to children, pets, and wildlife. California’s Senate Bill 212 requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to fund safe, convenient drug take-back programs statewide. Residents can dispose of medications through:

1. Drop-off bins at many pharmacies, hospitals, law enforcement facilities, and community centers
2. Free mail-back programs, which provide prepaid envelopes for safely returning unwanted medicines

Medications collected from drop-off sites or mail-back programs are typically incinerated at high temperatures in properly permitted facilities to ensure safe destruction.

To find drop-off locations or learn how mail-back services work, visit CalRecycle’s official site HERE. Residents of Thousand Oaks can also check local details at www.toaks.gov/medsandsharps.

Items Not Accepted at Medication Drop-Off Sites

While most medications are accepted at drop-off bins, some items typically cannot go there, including:

1. Controlled substances (unless specifically permitted at certain locations)
2. Inhalers
3. Medical devices
4. Mercury thermometers

Inhalers are not accepted at medication drop-off locations because they often contain pressurized gas or hazardous propellants, which pose safety risks and require special handling. However, California’s statewide program under SB 212 manages inhalers through mail-back services only, allowing residents to safely return them via prepaid envelopes provided by participating manufacturers or retailers. For details on inhaler disposal, visit CalRecycle’s website. For guidance on disposing of other items not accepted at drop-off sites, residents should contact the City’s Sustainability Division at (805) 449-7283 or visit www.toaks.gov/medsandsharps.

Sharps (Needles, Syringes, Lancets) – How and Where to Dispose

California law strictly prohibits throwing sharps into household trash, recycling, or green waste bins. Sharps must be placed in a proper sharps container and handled through authorized programs to prevent injuries and disease transmission.

Residents can safely dispose of sharps by:

1. Dropping off sealed sharps containers at authorized collection sites
2. Using free mail-back services offered under California’s SB 212 program

Residents can obtain a free sharps container from the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility without an appointment, during their scheduled drop-off appointment, or from participating pharmacies and healthcare providers. Sharps must always be transported in a properly sealed sharps container or another rigid, puncture-resistant container to ensure safe handling. Bring your sealed container to the City’s facility or another approved collection site for proper disposal.

For comprehensive guidance and to locate collection programs, visit CalRecycle’s sharps disposal page. Residents of Thousand Oaks can schedule drop-off appointments or learn more at www.toaks.gov/medsandsharps.

Why Proper Disposal Matters

Improper disposal of medications or sharps:

1. Endangers children, pets, and sanitation workers
2. Contributes to drug misuse and accidental poisonings
3. Pollutes waterways and harms wildlife
4. Violates California health and safety laws

California’s take-back programs are designed to make proper disposal easy, free, and accessible to everyone.

Frequently Asked Question: Does the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility Accept Medications?

No. The City’s HHW Facility in Thousand Oaks does not accept medications. It only accepts home-generated sharps with proper drop-off appointments. Medications should be taken to approved drop-off locations or mailed back using authorized programs.

For local details, visit www.toaks.gov/medsandsharps.

Remember: safe disposal protects your family and the environment. Check CalRecycle’s page for the most current statewide guidance and resources: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/epr/pharmasharps/.