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Environmental Health > FAQs > Medical Waste Program FAQs

Medical Waste Program FAQs

What is Medical Waste?

Medical Waste is generated as a result of diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals; and meets the definition of biohazardous and/or sharps waste.

What is Biohazardous Waste?

Biohazardous Waste includes, but is not limited to, laboratory waste, microbiology specimens, surgery specimens, infectious animal parts, waste with recognizable fluid blood, and infectious excreta or secretions from humans.

What is Sharps Waste?

Sharps Waste includes, but is not limited to, hypodermic needles, hypodermic needles with syringes, blades, needles with attached tubing, syringes contaminated with biohazardous waste, and broken glass.

Who is required to have a Medical Waste Generator Permit?

All businesses that produce Medical Waste are required to have a Medical Waste Generator Permit. This includes but is not limited to: Dental Offices, Veterinary and Medical Clinics, Hospitals, and Doctor's Offices. An annual fee is associated with registration and permits. Call us at 925-692-2500 for further details.

How can I dispose of syringes that I generate from treating myself or family members at home?

As of September 1, 2008 a new law, SB1305, has prohibited the disposal of home generated sharps into any container used for private or commercial collection of solid waste, recyclable materials, or greenwaste. This includes roll-off containers used for the collection of solid waste, construction and demolition debris, greenwaste, or other recyclable materials. Sharps are now required to be placed in an approved sharps container and managed through a waste management facility, an approved home sharps collection site which could include but is not limited to pharmacies and hospitals or by using an approved mail back system.

See the State Approved Mail Back Services - CA Dept. of Public Health (PDF).

Household Hazardous Waste Facilities that Collect Sharps

For West County residents only
Household hazardous waste facility
101 Pittsburg Ave.
Richmond, CA 94801
1-888-412-9277
For East County residents only
Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
2550 Pittsburg/Antioch Highway
Antioch, CA 94509
925-756-1990
For all Contra Costa County residents
Sutter Regional Medical Foundation
4053 Lone Tree Way
Antioch, CA 94509
925-756-3400
John Muir Pharmacy
1220 Rossmoor Parkway
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Household Pharmaceutical Drop Off Sites (locations to safely dispose of medications)

Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Sheriff's Substation - New
2500 Alhambra Ave., Martinez
Accepts all household pharmaceutical waste
Open to all residents
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
CCC Sheriff's Field Operations Building - New
1980 Muir Road, Martinez
Accepts all household pharmaceutical waste
Open to all residents
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Walnut Creek City Hall - New
1666 North main Street, Walnut Creek
Accepts all household pharmaceutical waste
Open to all residents
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
West County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
101 Pittsburg Ave., Richmond
Accepts non-controlled household pharmaceutical waste
Open to West County residents only
Hours: Thursday, Friday and First Saturday of every month 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(Closed 12 - 12:30 p.m. for lunch)
Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
2550 Pittsburg - Antioch Highway,Antioch
Accepts non-controlled household pharmaceutical waste.
Open to East County residents only
Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.




Content provided by Contra Costa Health Services, Environmental Health Division.

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