It is illegal for needles and other sharps to be placed into trash or recycling containers since they could cause an injury. Sharps must be placed in a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container immediately after they have been used. “Sharps” is a medical term for devices with sharp points or edges that can puncture or cut skin. Examples of sharps include needles, syringes, lancets, auto injectors (such as EpiPens), and infusions sets.

In coordination with Yolo County Public Agency Risk Management (YCPARMIA) and several City of West Sacramento departments, the West Sacramento Fire Department is now offering the community a 24-hour sharps disposal container located in front of the Fire Admin Office at 2040 Lake Washington Blvd (Fire Station 45). The receptacle was funded by a grant through YCPARMIA as a convenient and confidential way of properly disposing home-generated sharps and to aid in the reduction of City personnel having to directly handle the collection of sharps from the public. 

If you need more information about sharps and medical waste, please click here Yolo County.