Pharmaceutical Waste At SFSU

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Pharmaceutical waste includes unused, expired, or contaminated medications, drugs, or pharmaceutical products that can pose risks to human health, wildlife, or the environment if not disposed of properly. It is managed in compliance with California’s Medical Waste Management Act and federal regulations, including RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act).

Characteristics of Pharmaceutical Waste:
• Can include prescription and over-the-counter medications.
• May be classified as hazardous waste depending on chemical composition (e.g.,
chemotherapy drugs, controlled substances).
• Requires segregation from other waste streams for proper treatment and disposal

Pharmaceutical Waste (OTC drugs, prescription drugs) Information

  • Expired or unused prescription medications.
  • Contaminated medications or materials used to administer medications (e.g., IV bags, tubing)
  • Empty or partially used vials, syringes, or ampoules containing pharmaceutical residues.

Environmental Health & Safety:

Dipak Janda (Dk) Email: Dipakjanda@sfsu.edu

Telephone: (415)-542-8046

  • Blue or Black Pharmaceutical Waste Bins: For non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste
  • Sharps Containers: For syringes or vials with remaining pharmaceutical residue.
  • "Pharmaceutical Waste – Non-Hazardous”: For non-hazardous medications.
  • “Pharmaceutical Waste – Hazardous”: For medications classified as hazardous waste.
  • Labels must include accumulation start date and type of pharmaceutical waste.

Pharmaceutical waste may accumulate at the point of generation for up to 30 days, or sooner if containers are full

Lab personnel or healthcare staff transfer pharmaceutical waste to a designated pharmaceutical storage area on campus. The waste is stored designated Hazardous Waste Storage are separated by waste type
(hazardous, non-hazardous, or controlled substances) until picked up by a licensed pharmaceutical waste disposal vendor.

Pharmaceutical waste is typically picked up monthly or as needed, based on waste accumulation and type

After leaving SFSU, pharmaceutical waste is:
1. Non-Hazardous Waste: Treated and disposed of in regulated landfills or incinerated.
2. Hazardous Waste: Treated at licensed hazardous waste treatment facilities using
incineration or neutralization.
3. Controlled Substances: Managed under DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)
guidelines, often incinerated at high temperatures to ensure destruction.

Contact Information

For further information about the Pharmaceutical Waste (OTC drugs, prescription drugs) Management Program at SFSU or how you can get involved, please contact:

Environmental Compliance Specialist

Dipak Janda (Dk)