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How to Dispose

Step-by-Step Guide

Confused about what to do with your unwanted or expired medication? The rules about what kinds of medicine can be accepted can vary from place to place and program to program, making it difficult to know what to do. Learn more about how to dispose of different types of medication in your area by following the prompts below.
What type of medicine do you have?
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Pills

Is your medicine a controlled substance, like opioids?
Do you have a local take-back program?
Does your local take-back program accept controlled substances?
Do you have a local take-back program?

Dispose of your expired or unwanted medicine at your local take-back program.

  1. Keep the medicine in its original container unless directed otherwise by your local program.
  2. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the information about the medication type and dosage if possible.
  3. Visit your local take-back location and drop off your unwanted or expired medicine per their instructions.

No take-back program? Contact your local law enforcement office, pharmacy, or municipality and let them know your community needs one! This factsheet has some helpful tips about how to start a program.

Use one of the following safe alternatives to a medicine take-back program.
  • Request or purchase a medication disposal envelope from your pharmacy. Follow the provided instructions to return your unwanted medicine through the mail.
  • Safely dispose of unwanted or expired medication in the trash.
    1. Leave the medication in the original container or place it in a sealable bag. If the medication comes in a blister pack, remove it from the original packaging and place it in a sealable bag.
    2. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the medication type and dosage information if possible.
    3. Add a safe but unpalatable substance such as kitty litter, dish/laundry soap, or used coffee grounds to the medication container and then seal it.
    4. Seal the medicine in a leak-proof container such as a coffee can.
    5. Dispose of the mixture in the trash as close to pick-up day as possible.
  • Purchase and use a drug destruction product and follow the provided instructions. This factsheet from Oklahoma State University Extension gives an overview of available products. You can also ask your pharmacist for a recommendation.

Use one of the following safe alternatives to a medicine take-back program.

  • Request or purchase a medication disposal envelope from your pharmacy. Follow the provided instructions to return your unwanted medicine through the mail.
  • Safely dispose of unwanted or expired medication in the trash.
    1. Leave the medication in the original container or place it in a sealable bag. If the medication comes in a blister pack, remove it from the original packaging and place it in a sealable bag.
    2. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the medication type and dosage information if possible.
    3. Add a safe but unpalatable substance such as kitty litter, dish/laundry soap, or used coffee grounds to the medication container and then seal it.
    4. Seal the medicine in a leak-proof container such as a coffee can.
    5. Dispose of the mixture in the trash as close to pick-up day as possible.
  • Purchase and use a drug destruction product and follow the provided instructions. This factsheet from Oklahoma State University Extension gives an overview of available products. You can also ask your pharmacist for a recommendation.

First, visit our interactive map to find your local take-back program. Contact them to find out if they accept controlled substances. Then, come back here and follow the prompts!

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Liquids or Creams

Is your medicine a controlled substance, like opioids?
Do you have a local take-back program?
Does your local take-back program accept controlled substances?
Does your local take-back program accept liquids and creams?
Do you have a local take-back program?
Does your local take-back program accept liquids and creams?

Dispose of your expired or unwanted medicine at your local take-back program.

  1. Keep the medicine in its original container unless directed otherwise by your local program.
  2. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the information about the medication type and dosage if possible.
  3. Visit your local take-back location and drop off your unwanted or expired medicine per their instructions.

Use one of the following safe alternatives to a medicine take-back program.

  • Request or purchase a medication disposal envelope from your pharmacy. Follow the provided instructions to return your unwanted medicine through the mail.
  • Safely dispose of unwanted or expired medication in the trash.
    1. Leave the medication in the original container or place it in a sealable bag. If the medication comes in a blister pack, remove it from the original packaging and place it in a sealable bag.
    2. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the medication type and dosage information if possible.
    3. Add a safe but unpalatable substance such as kitty litter, dish/laundry soap, or used coffee grounds to the medication container and then seal it.
    4. Seal the medicine in a leak-proof container such as a coffee can.
    5. Dispose of the mixture in the trash as close to pick-up day as possible.
  • Purchase and use a drug destruction product and follow the provided instructions. This factsheet from Oklahoma State University Extension gives an overview of available products. You can also ask your pharmacist for a recommendation.

No take-back program? Contact your local law enforcement office, pharmacy, or municipality and let them know your community needs one! This factsheet has some helpful tips about how to start a program.

Use one of the following safe alternatives to a medicine take-back program.
  • Request or purchase a medication disposal envelope from your pharmacy. Follow the provided instructions to return your unwanted medicine through the mail.
  • Safely dispose of unwanted or expired medication in the trash.
    1. Leave the medication in the original container or place it in a sealable bag. If the medication comes in a blister pack, remove it from the original packaging and place it in a sealable bag.
    2. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the medication type and dosage information if possible.
    3. Add a safe but unpalatable substance such as kitty litter, dish/laundry soap, or used coffee grounds to the medication container and then seal it.
    4. Seal the medicine in a leak-proof container such as a coffee can.
    5. Dispose of the mixture in the trash as close to pick-up day as possible.
  • Purchase and use a drug destruction product and follow the provided instructions. This factsheet from Oklahoma State University Extension gives an overview of available products. You can also ask your pharmacist for a recommendation.

First, visit our interactive map to find your local take-back program. Contact them to find out if they accept controlled substances. Then, come back here and follow the prompts!

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Inhalers

Do you have a local take-back program?
Does your local take-back program accept inhalers?

Dispose of your used inhalers at your local take-back program.

  1. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the information about the medication type and dosage if possible.
  2. Visit your local take-back location and drop off your used inhaler per their instructions.

Use one of the following safe alternatives to a medicine take-back program.

  1. Request or purchase a disposal envelope. These may be available online or from your pharmacy. Follow the provided instructions to return your used inhalers through the mail.
  2. Safe trash disposal may not be possible, as inhalers are potentially dangerous if punctured or incinerated. Contact your municipal waste service to see if trash disposal is an option for you. If it is, be sure to black out any personal identifying information. Leave the medication type and dosage information if possible.
  3. Contact your local health department, pharmacy, law enforcement, or municipality to find out if an inhaler disposal program is available to you.

No take-back program? Contact your local law enforcement office, pharmacy, or municipality and let them know your community needs one! This factsheet has some helpful tips about how to start a program.

Use one of the following safe alternatives to a medicine take-back program.
  1. Request or purchase a disposal envelope. These may be available online or from your pharmacy. Follow the provided instructions to return your used inhalers through the mail.
  2. Safe trash disposal may not be possible, as inhalers are potentially dangerous if punctured or incinerated. Contact your municipal waste service to see if trash disposal is an option for you. If it is, be sure to black out any personal identifying information. Leave the medication type and dosage information if possible.
  3. Contact your local health department, pharmacy, law enforcement, or municipality to find out if an inhaler disposal program is available to you.

First, visit our interactive map to find your local take-back program. Contact them to find out if they accept inhalers. Then, come back here and follow the prompts!


First, visit our interactive map to find your local take-back program. Then, come back here and follow the prompts!

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Sharps

Do you have a local take-back program?
Does your local take-back program accept sharps?

Dispose of your used sharps at your local take-back program.

  1. Place your sharps in a sharps disposal container immediately after use. This disposal container can be a receptacle designed specifically for sharps, or can be a puncture-proof container, like a laundry detergent bottle or coffee can. Be sure to safely store this container.
  2. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the information about the medication type and dosage if possible.
  3. Visit your local take-back location and drop off your sharps container per their instructions.

Use one of the following safe alternatives to a medicine take-back program.

  • Request or purchase a sharps disposal container from your pharmacy or online. Follow the provided instructions to return your unwanted medicine through the mail.
  • Contact your local health department, pharmacy, law enforcement, or municipality to find out if a sharps disposal program is available to you.
  • Safely dispose of used sharps in the trash.
    1. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the medication type and dosage information if possible.
    2. Place your sharps in a sharps disposal container immediately after use. This disposal container can be a receptacle designed specifically for sharps, or can be a puncture-proof container, like a laundry detergent bottle or coffee can. Be sure to safely store this container.
    3. When full, carefully seal the container and dispose in the trash as close to pick-up day as possible.

No take-back program? Contact your local law enforcement office, pharmacy, or municipality and let them know your community needs one! This factsheet has some helpful tips about how to start a program.

Use one of the following safe alternatives to a medicine take-back program.
  1. Request or purchase a sharps disposal container from your pharmacy or online. Follow the provided instructions to return your unwanted medicine through the mail.
  2. Contact your local health department, pharmacy, law enforcement, or municipality to find out if a sharps disposal program is available to you.
  3. Safely dispose of used sharps in the trash.
    • Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the medication type and dosage information if possible.
    • Place your sharps in a sharps disposal container immediately after use. This disposal container can be a receptacle designed specifically for sharps, or can be a puncture-proof container, like a laundry detergent bottle or coffee can. Be sure to safely store this container.
    • When full, carefully seal the container and dispose in the trash as close to pick-up day as possible.

First, visit our interactive map to find your local take-back program. Contact them to find out if they accept sharps.

Often, sharps collections and medicine collections are separate. In that case, contact your local health department or pharmacy to find out if there is a sharps disposal program in your area. You can also visit SafeNeedleDisposal.org to view your state’s guidance or regulations and search by zip code for local disposal options. Then, come back here and follow the prompts!

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Transdermal Patches

Please note that transdermal patches require special care due to the presence of leftover medicine that can remain after use. All used patches should immediately be folded in half after removal, and both used and unwanted patches should be safely stored until disposal.
Is your medicine a controlled substance, like opioids?
Do you have a local take-back program?
Do you have a local take-back program?
Does your local take-back program accept controlled substances?

Dispose of your expired or unwanted medicine at your local take-back program.

  1. Keep the medicine in its original container unless directed otherwise by your local program.
  2. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the information about the medication type and dosage if possible.
  3. Visit your local take-back location and drop off your unwanted or expired medicine per their instructions.

No take-back program? Contact your local law enforcement office, pharmacy, or municipality and let them know your community needs one! This factsheet has some helpful tips about how to start a program.


No take-back program? Contact your local law enforcement office, pharmacy, or municipality and let them know your community needs one! This factsheet has some helpful tips about how to start a program.

Use one of the following safe alternatives to a medicine take-back program.
  • Request or purchase a medication disposal envelope from your pharmacy. Follow the provided instructions to return your unwanted medicine through the mail.
  • Safely dispose of unwanted or expired medication in the trash.
    1. Leave the medication in the original container or place it in a sealable bag. If the medication comes in a blister pack, remove it from the original packaging and place it in a sealable bag.
    2. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the medication type and dosage information if possible.
    3. Add a safe but unpalatable substance such as kitty litter, dish/laundry soap, or used coffee grounds to the medication container and then seal it.
    4. Seal the medicine in a leak-proof container such as a coffee can.
    5. Dispose of the mixture in the trash as close to pick-up day as possible.
  • Purchase and use a drug destruction product and follow the provided instructions. This factsheet from Oklahoma State University Extension gives an overview of available products. You can also ask your pharmacist for a recommendation.

Use one of the following safe alternatives to a medicine take-back program.

  • Request or purchase a medication disposal envelope from your pharmacy. Follow the provided instructions to return your unwanted medicine through the mail.
  • Safely dispose of unwanted or expired medication in the trash.
    1. Leave the medication in the original container or place it in a sealable bag. If the medication comes in a blister pack, remove it from the original packaging and place it in a sealable bag.
    2. Black out any personal identifying information. Leave the medication type and dosage information if possible.
    3. Add a safe but unpalatable substance such as kitty litter, dish/laundry soap, or used coffee grounds to the medication container and then seal it.
    4. Seal the medicine in a leak-proof container such as a coffee can.
    5. Dispose of the mixture in the trash as close to pick-up day as possible.
  • Purchase and use a drug destruction product and follow the provided instructions. This factsheet from Oklahoma State University Extension gives an overview of available products. You can also ask your pharmacist for a recommendation.

First, visit our interactive map to find your local take-back program. Then, come back here and follow the prompts!

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