According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Pharmaceutical waste generated in California must be treated by incineration, or by an alternative treatment technology that has received approval from the Department. The technologies on the Department’s alternative medical waste treatment technologies list are the only alternative treatments approved for use in California. None of the charcoal-based products currently in use have gained this approval, so they must be disposed of in a pharmaceutical waste container. Do not place pharmaceuticals mixed with these products into the solid waste.