08/07/2026
We’re approaching the end of National Health Center Week, which is a good time to become aware of proper needle disposal.
Did you know that needles are considered hazardous household materials? That means that they *CANNOT* be thrown into the trash or recycling and must be taken or otherwise delivered to a proper disposal site in an appropriate container, no matter the quantity. The reason is simple: one little prick can turn life upside down for the workers on the sorting lines.
Dispose your sharps waste properly and safely! Take your sharps to a participating collection point, such as a S.A.F.E. Center.
—SAFETY IS THE POINT—
Workers on sorting lines are at risk whenever needles and other sharps are improperly disposed of. If pricked, workers have to go through a year of testing to find out if they have been exposed to infectious agents or dangerous chemicals.
—S.A.F.E. CENTERS—
S.A.F.E. Centers are permanent collection sites that are open every weekend for residents to drop off their household hazardous waste, including sharps, for *FREE*. These locations have limited hours. Sharps must be brought in a State-approved container, or in a hard plastic, puncture-proof container. The container must have a lid. Loose sharps will not be accepted. This also applies to Epi-pens.
Visit the S.A.F.E. Centers site for information on the process:
https://sanitation.lacity.gov/safecenters
—MAIL-BACK/SHIPPING—
Another option is via mail-back service. A free, pre-paid, pre-addressed mail-back package can be requested via:
https://sharpstakebackcalifornia.org
Have something you need to dispose of, but "bin" confused?
Visit the City of Burbank's "Where It Goes" to find out where needles and hundreds of other materials go:
https://www.burbankca.gov/web/public-works/where-it-goes
