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Home-Generated Sharps Disposal

With the late-2008 change in California law regarding disposal of home-generated sharps, many people have questions about where they can dispose of their waste generated at home.

What are "sharps"? Sharps consist of medical devices meant to pierce or cut tissue. Items such as hypodermic needles, catheters, scalpels and dental tools are common sharp wastes. Sharps were banned from municipal solid waste streams because of the risk they pose to solid waste collection workers and the public.

Designated collection points for disposal of home-generated sharps

Butte County

CHICO
Butte Regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility
1101 Marauder Street
Chico, CA 95973
(530) 343-5488
1-866-429-2288

Hours: Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Note: They accept medical sharps waste, but not infectious medical waste. Disposal is free to Butte
County residents who show proof of residency (garbage or utility bill). Sharps shall be in rigid
container labeled “Sharps”, with the lid taped on.

OROVILLE
Butte County Fire Station No.64, Kelly Ridge
22 Walnut Ave.
Oroville, CA
(530) 538-7228

Hours: Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Note: Accepts sharps in rigid containers labeled "Sharps" with lid taped on.

PARADISE
Northern Recycling & Waste Services
920 American Way
Paradise, CA 95969
(530) 876-3345

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Note: They accept sharps from the public. Sharps shall be in a special container. Containers are
available for sale on site (approx. $5, which is a price for removal). Containers with sharps shall
be dropped off in a designated container at the facility.

MORE SITES

Find more medical waste service providers in Butte and Tehama Counties, in a list provided by the Butte County Department of Public Health. (This link will open an Adobe PDF file)

More information

California Department of Public Health - Home Generated Medical Waste Web page

Butte County Department of Public Health - Hazardous Materials Web page, including a Medical Waste Service Providers list and Medical Waste Bulletin and Disposal Guide