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United States Medical Waste Services
Woman Donating Blood

Experience safe, compliant, and hassle-free disposal of home-generated sharps containers with United States Medical Waste Services, your trusted partner for secure and responsible medical waste management.

Home Generated Sharps Disposal San Diego

For residents of San Diego and surrounding areas, you may drop off your personal use sharps at our location for a flat rate of $3 per pound.  All sharps must be in an approved "Sharps Container" that is closed and taped shut in accordance with California Health And Safety Code Section 118285.  

About Our Home Generated Sharps Waste Disposal Service

Why Choose United States Medical Waste Is The Clear Choice!

Locally Owned

When you choose to support our locally owned business, you can trust that you are making a positive impact on your community, as your patronage directly supports local jobs, services, and initiatives.

Veteran Owned

We are honored to be a veteran-owned business, founded and operated by individuals who have proudly served in the military. Our commitment to excellence, integrity, and service is deeply rooted in our military experience.

Total Security

By emphasizing total compliance, we aim to build trust with our stakeholders, protect our reputation, and contribute to a fair and sustainable business environment.

Medical Waste Containers 101

Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) Containers

In compliance with the Health and Safety Code Sections 17600 - 118360. Containers shall comply with United States Department of Transportation requirements when prepared for transport offsite from the facility.​​​

  • NO Loose Sharps can be placed inside of this container. (Use a sharps container)

  • NO PHARMACEUTICALS can be placed inside of this container

  • Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) Containers Dimension:

    • 18 Gallon: 16"H x 19″W x 19″D *TW@8lb

    • 28 Gallon: 22"H x 19″W x 19″D *TW@9.6lb

    • 38 Gallon: 33"H x 19″W x 19″D *TW@11lb

    • 10 Gallon: 16"H x 20″W x 12.5″D *TW@11lb

    • 17 Gallon: 26"H x 20″W x 12.5″D *TW@11lb

Designated Accumulation Area
Regulated Medcal Waste Containers
Primary Biohazard Waste Container (Bedside)

In compliance with the Health and Safety Code Sections 17600 - 118360. Containers shall comply with United States Department of Transportation requirements when prepared for transport offsite from the facility.​

  • Medical waste may be placed into a biohazard bag not to exceed three pounds or one gallon

  • Tied, as required, in a patient room and shall be immediately transported upon completion of the procedure directly from the point of generation and placed into a Regulated Medical Waste RMW Container

  • NO Loose Sharps can be placed inside of this container. (Use a sharps container)

  • NO PHARMACEUTICALS can be placed inside of this container

Interim Storage Area
biohazard waste containers
Primary Sharps Waste Container (Bedside)

“Sharps container” means a rigid puncture-resistant container used in patient care or research activities meeting the standards of, and receiving approval from, the United States Food and Drug Administration as a medical device used for the collection of discarded medical needles or other sharps.​

  • Sharps containers are single use and are expendable to the generator.  Sharps containers may be purchased from San Diego Medical Waste Services separately from your disposal service by visiting https://www.sdmedwaste.com/shop

  • NO PHARMACEUTICALS can be placed inside of this container

Primary Sharps Waste Container
sharps waste containers
Primary Pharmaceutical Waste Container (Bedside)

Pharmaceutical waste should be incinerated or treated using approved methods. Charcoal-based products aren't approved, so use a pharmaceutical waste container for disposal. Don't mix pharmaceuticals with these products in solid waste, biohazard, or sharps containers.

  • All Pharmaceuticals Must Be Placed Into A Pharmaceutical Waste Container At Point Of Generation. 

  • Loose Sharps can be placed inside of this container. (Used a sharps container)

  • Once Ready For Disposal, Place Pharmaceutical Waste Containers Next To (NOT INSIDE OF) The Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) Container To Be Picked Up During Your Scheduled Service Day. 

Interim Storage Area
Pharmaceutical waste containers

At United States Medical Waste Services, we are dedicated to keeping your business compliant and safe. We understand the importance of proper sharps handling and disposal, which is why we provide the best medical waste management services in the area. 

Community Leading Sharps Disposal Services

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Sharps are objects that can penetrate a worker’s skin, such as needles, scalpels, broken glass, capillary tubes and the exposed ends of dental wires. If blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), as defined in the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), are present or may be present on the sharp, it is a contaminated sharp and appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn.

  • Needles: Hollow needles used for injecting medications.

  • Syringes: With or without needles

  • Blood vials

  • Lancets: AKA “fingerstick” devices. 

  • Infusion Sets: Tubing/needle systems used to deliver medications beneath the skin.

  • Connection Needles / Connection Sets: Needles that connect to tubes. 

  • Scalpels and other blades.

  • Scissors: used to cut flesh or dressings.

  • Glass: Broken or unbroken glass that hasn’t necessarily been contaminated may still need sharps disposal.

  • Sharp Plastic may need special disposal.

What is sharps waste?

A sharps container is a specialized container designed for the safe disposal of medical sharps, which are objects or instruments with sharp edges or points that can puncture the skin.  A “sharps container” means a rigid puncture-resistant container used in patient care or research activities meeting the standards of, and receiving approval from, the United States Food and Drug Administration as a medical device used for the collection of discarded medical needles or other sharps.

The primary purpose of a sharps container is to provide a secure and hygienic method for collecting used sharps and preventing accidental injuries or infections that could occur from improper disposal.

Sharps containers come in many sizes and shapes depending on the intended use and manufacture.  Typically sharps containers come in the following sizes:​

1 Quart, 1 Gallon, 5 Quart, 2 Gallon, 3 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 8 Gallon, 10 Gallon, 12 Gallon, 18 Gallon

What is a sharps container?

When placing your sharps container, it is important to consider safety, accessibility, and compliance with local regulations. San Diego Medical Waste recommends that sharps disposal containers be located with consideration of the following factors:

  • Choose a secure location: Sharps are a "point of use disposal" item.  Select a secure location that is out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental access or injury. Make sure the sharps container is stable and cannot be easily knocked over.

  • Keep sharps containers close to where sharps are used: Place the sharps container in a convenient location near where you typically use sharps. This should be in the area where you administer injections or perform medical procedures.

  • Use a locking sharps container wall mount when available: An ideal standing instillation height for a fixed sharps disposal container is 52 to 56 inches. (Place containers slightly below eye level.)

  • Healthcare workers should be able to comfortably view the entire inlet opening of the disposal container.

  • Containers should be located within arm's reach.

  • Place all needles and sharps in a verified sharps container immediately after use.

  • Storage requirements and community guidelines vary by state and county. Please check your local regulations state page for a full list of regulatory requirements.

Where should I place my sharps container?

Sharps containers are reserved for those items that are contaminated and that could puncture the skin. Proper sharps handling and proper training can help ensure staff are fully aware of what can and cannot be disposed of in a sharps container.

Things that should not be thrown in a sharps container include:

  • Medications: Sharps containers are not meant for the disposal of medications, including pills, liquids, or creams. Medications should be disposed of following specific guidelines provided by your local pharmacy, healthcare provider, or drug take-back programs. To learn more on medication and pharmaceutical disposal click here.

  • Tape, paper, bandages/gauze, exam gloves, alcohol preps (These items go into a biohazard waste container)

  • Aerosols or inhalers (These items are typically hazardous or "RCRA" Waste and go into a hazardous waste container

  • Garbage or liquids of any kind

  • Batteries of any type

  • Hazardous, chemical, radioactive or red bag waste (non-sharps regulated medical waste)

What Should NOT Go Into A Sharps Container?

Scheduled Service Frequencies

  • Weekly (Every 1-Week)

  • Bi-Weekly (Every 2-Week)

  • Monthly (Every 4-Week)

  • Bi-Monthly (Every 8-Weeks)

  • Quarterly (Every-12Weeks)

  • Will Call (As Requested)

We understand that your sharps disposal needs are unique, which is why we offer flexible service schedules tailored to your organization's requirements. You can choose from any of the following secure electronics recycling frequencies:

medical waste truck

FAQ About Our Sharps Container Disposal Services

  • YES! Sharps containers are single use and are expendable to the generator.  Sharps containers may be purchased from San Diego Medical Waste Services separately from your disposal service by visiting https://www.sdmedwaste.com/shop

  • The medical waste container labeling, San Diego County Ordinance SEC. 68.1205, was enacted in 1989 as a response to medical wastes that were washed ashore on area beaches and were found dumped in County landfills.  Proper labeling must include: generator’s name, address and phone number

  • As of September 1, 2008, California State Law prohibits the disposal of home-generated sharps into any container used for the trash, recycling or green waste.

    San Diego Environmental Services Department 858-694-7000

    https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/ep/hazardous/needles-sharps

Monday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Tuesday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Wednesday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Thursday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Friday: 8:00AM - 4:00PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

Our Hours

Mesa, AZ

Locate Us

Info@usmedwaste.com

480-716-9099

Contact Us

Have Questions? Feel free to reach out!

Home Generated Sharps Container Disposal Guide

Step 1
  • Place all sharps waste into an approved sharps container.

  • Do not overfill the container; stop using it when it is three-quarters full to prevent needle sticks.

  • Do not place loose needles and other sharps in any type of bags or containers not designed for sharps.

  • Tightly close the lid and tape closed sharps containers that are ready for disposal to preclude loss of contents.

Container Preparation
Step 2
  • Safely transport your sharps waste to our home-generated sharps consolidation point.

  • 8940 Activity Rd. Suite H, San Diego, CA 92126

  • Drop Off Hours

    • Mon: 9:00AM - 4:00PM

    • Tue: 9:00AM - 4:00PM

    • Wed: 9:00AM - 4:00PM

    • Thu: 9:00AM - 4:00PM

    • Fri: 9:00AM - 4:00PM

    • Sat: Closed

    • Sun: Closed

Transporting Sharps
Step 3
  • Upon arrival, come to our front door.

  • Fill out the home-generated sharps disposal form.

  • Place your sharps container on the digital scale.

  • Our staff will assess & record the weight of your sharps waste.

Weight Assessment and Form
sharps container going into medical waste container
Step 4
  • Deposit your sharps container in the designated accumulation area.

  • Pay the flat rate of $3 per pound for disposal.

  • Receive a receipt for your records

Payment and Disposal

**No other household waste (hazardous or non-hazardous) is accepted at this location.

DIRECTIONS TO: 8940 Activity Rd. Suite H, San Diego, CA 92126
From I-15:  Take Exit 14 for Miramar Rd., Travel West on Miramar Rd for approximately 1.5 miles.  Turn right (North) one Camino Ruiz.  Turn right on Activity Rd and turn left into the Miramar Commerce Center business park. Continue along the driveway and our office is located in the back. 
From I-805:  Take Exit 25B for Miramar Rd., Travel East on Miramar Rd for approximately 4 miles.  Turn left (North) on Camino Ruiz.  Turn right on Activity Rd and turn left into the Miramar Commerce Center business park. Continue along the driveway and our office is located in the back.

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