Home-generated sharps waste includes 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.

You must place used sharps in a proper container. Free containers are available at L.A. County Household Hazardous Waste Collection events or at the City of Los Angeles' S.A.F.E. center (1-888-CLEAN LA) or CleanLA . You can also place sharps in a container that does not leak, break or puncture such as plastic detergent containers. The lid must be taped, sealed, and the container labeled "SHARPS."

Dispose of used sharps and medicine at free L.A. County HHW roundups. Call 1-888-CLEAN LA or visit CleanLA for locations. Sharps disposal drop offs are also available at one of 21 drop boxes located outside L.A. County Sheriff's stations throughout the region. Search for additional local disposal options at Safe Needle Disposal.

* Do not flush sharps waste or medications down the toilet or drain or discard in the trash, greenwaste or recycling containers.