Unused medications pose a potential danger for children and others. Safe medication disposal can prevent an accidental exposure or intentional abuse. Flushing down the toilet may cause undue harm to the environment. Simply throwing them in the trash without proper precautions could also lead to environment harm but also has the potential for children or animal exposures.
There are safe and environmentally friendly methods for safe medication disposal.
Walgreens has many locations that offer a safe medication disposal box. They also offer DisposeRx packets that you can obtain to safely throw away medication in your home trash.
Medications accepted:
What's not accepted:
Prescription medications, ointments and patches
Needles and thermometers
Over the counter medications, ointments, lotions, and liquids
This program is offered twice a year, generally in April and October. This offers a safe and anonymous way to dispose of your unwanted, unused or expired prescription medications. Please visit https://www.dea.gov/takebackday for more information, dates and locations offering the services near you.
If you cannot find a disposal area near you, here are some ways to dispose of them at home.
Any capsules or tablets mix with used coffee grounds, dirt, or kitty litter in a sealed bag or container. Place in trash. Do not crush tablets or capsules.
Any liquid medication, pour over paper towels and place in used coffee grounds or kitty litter in a sealed bag or container. Place in trash
Make sure when placing in trash that it is out of sight or reach of children and animals.
