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URMC / Institute for Human Health and the Environment / Engagement / Engagement Projects / Medication Disposal

Environmentally Safe Medication Disposal

Waste water diagramMany medications (prescription or over-the-counter medication) contain chemicals that can harm other people or the environment. It is important to safely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications to prevent accidental use by another person. Some people flush medications down a drain (like a toilet or sink), not realizing that most wastewater treatment plants and septic systems are not equipped to remove these chemicals.  Flushed medications can end up in rivers, lakes, and groundwater and can pollute surface water, harm wildlife, and contaminate drinking water.

How to find a medication disposal option

  1. Medication Take-Back Locations
    Use a take-back site locator to find authorized collection sites near you. These locations often include pharmacies, hospitals, or law enforcement agencies. Many also provide mail-back envelopes for convenience.
  2. Local Pharmacies
     Many pharmacies have medication disposal kiosks or offer mail-back programs.
  3. Medication Take-Back Events in your community
     Local health departments or law enforcement often organize medication take-back events to provide a safe and anonymous way to dispose of medications.
  4. At-Home Disposal (If Take-Back Options Are Unavailable)
    If no take-back programs are accessible in your area, follow these steps to safely dispose of medications in the household trash:
    • Step 1: Mix the medication with an undesirable substance such as used coffee grounds, cat litter, eggshells, or dirt.
    • Step 2: Place the mixture in a sealed container, like a plastic bag.
    • Step 3: Dispose of the sealed container in your household trash.
    • Step 4: Remove any personal information from the prescription label before throwing the bottle away.
Monroe County NY Ecopark logoIn our region, wastewater is often discharged to Lake Ontario and other surface waters that are used for drinking water. You can help protect these important natural resources by properly disposing of medications.  If you are in the Monroe County area, you can dispose of your medication at Ecopark.

What did the IHHE Engagement Pillar do

When patients receive medications, they are often given instructions that include advice on disposal. This provides an opportunity to give environmentally sound disposal advice. We are working with health care providers to develop information they can share with patients. We developed clear, consistent, and evidence-based instructions based on U.S. EPA recommendations. These instructions help people to find environmentally responsible disposal methods. View example instructions.

What do you do with extra, unwanted, or expired medication?

  • There are multiple ways to properly dispose of extra, leftover, or expired medication. You can safely dispose of unwanted medications at most pharmacies, sheriff’s offices, or special “medication take-back” programs. If none of these options are available, mix the medication with an undesirable substance (such as coffee grounds, cat litter, or egg shells) and throw it away in a sealed container.

Are there any special considerations for disposing of opioids?

  • The instructions linked are applicable to all medication, including opioids. There are no special considerations regarding disposing of opioids.

Where can I find more information on medication disposal? 

What happens when you flush medication down the drain?

  • When medication is flushed down the drain (toilet or sink), they can end up in rivers, lakes, and groundwater and can pollute surface water, harm wildlife, and contaminate drinking water. Most wastewater treatment plants and septic systems are not equipped to remove these chemicals. Medications should not be disposed of by flushing.

Can I throw out an expired COVID-19 test kit?

  • Yes, according to the NYS Department of Health COVID-19 test kits are not regulated medical waste and can be thrown out in regular household trash. Click to learn more.

Can you throw away empty medication bottles?

  • Yes, you can throw away empty medication bottles in regular household trash. However, it is important to remove or scratch out any personal information.

Can you recycle empty medication bottles?

  • Vitamin bottles and over the counter pill bottles (like cold or allergy medication) can be recycled. However, prescription medication bottles must be taken to the Monroe County Ecopark. It is important to remove or scratch out any personal information on the label.

Can you dispose of medication anonymously?

  • Yes, medication disposal boxes are anonymous. The goal is to dispose of unwanted medication safely to reduce misuse.

What does it cost to dispose of medication?

  • There is no cost to dispose of medication through medication drop boxes at pharmacies, “medication take-back” programs, sheriff’s offices, or through a mail-back services.