Take your unwanted or expired medicine to a take-back program. If a program is not available in your area, look for a medicine mail-back envelope at your local pharmacy. Often they are available at no charge. Most importantly, don’t flush medications down the toilet. Visit How to Dispose to learn more about how to find a take-back program and more.

Do not place your needles and other sharps in a medicine take-back box. This is a safety and biological hazard, as many take-back boxes are emptied by hand. Instead, contact your local health department for more information about what options are available in your community to properly dispose of sharps. If no collection program for sharps is available in your area, follow the recommendations from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Medicine should be safely stored in a cool, dry place, away from children. The bathroom, a common storage location, is often not appropriate for proper storage due to the temperature and humidity. Follow any specific instructions on the medication packaging. Medicine should also be stored in one central location to avoid re-purchasing what you already have.

Yes, multiple types of medicine can be accepted in most takeback collections. Check with your local takeback program for any specific rules.

Your privacy is important. Be sure to mark out your personal information using a permanent marker or peel off your personal information from the label. Try to keep the medicine name and dose visible so take-back program staff can tell what it is.

In most cases the medicine is incinerated in a regulated hazardous waste facility.

Drug repository programs, also known as drug donation programs, can be found in more than half of U.S. states. Unused, sealed medicine can often be donated to these programs. These programs will not accept controlled substances, expired medicine, or medicine that has been opened or tampered with. Learn how to register to donate or receive medicine from these programs by checking with your local pharmacy or visiting the National Conference of State Legislature’s webpage on drug repository programs.

Vitamins in all forms are accepted in most drop boxes. Check with your local take-back program to see what is allowed.

Yes, most over-the-counter medicines are accepted at take-back programs. Check with your local take-back program to see what is allowed.

Some take-back programs are unable to accept controlled substances without law enforcement involvement, though most pharmacy take-back boxes can accept them. Check with your local take-back program to see what is allowed.

Many takeback programs do not allow creams and liquids to be disposed. Check with your local takeback program to see what is allowed. For products that are full or gently used, many online groups (Buy Nothing Groups or Environmental Groups on Facebook or NextDoor) have opportunities to donate your products. Additionally, many organizations, like Project Beauty Share, accept new or gently used personal care product donations for shelters, domestic abuse advocacy groups, and community centers.

Any products that must be disposed at home should be disposed in the trash rather than down the sink or toilet. Recycle clean bottles and containers whenever possible.

Most take-back programs require that you leave medicine in its original packaging with the drug name and dose visible and any personal identifying information blocked out. However, some programs prefer you empty all medicine into one sealed container, like a heavy duty sealable storage bag. Check with your local take-back program for their specific rules.

No! We encourage you to bring your expired medicines to a take-back program.

Over-the-counter powder supplements and medicines are accepted in most drop boxes. Check with your local take-back program to see what is allowed.

Liquid- and cream-based medicines are not accepted in most drop boxes. Check with your local takeback program to see what is allowed. If liquids or creams are not allowed, dispose in the trash – never down the sink or toilet.

Start by contacting your local pharmacy or law enforcement office to see what options are available to you. Your disposal options may differ based on what types of medicines you have and the quantity.