Medication Disposal

Safe disposal of medication saves lives and protects the environment.

Medication should not be flushed in the toilet because not all pharmaceutical compounds are removed by water treatment facilities. When medication is flushed into our wastewater stream aquatic life and humans are exposed to a mix of chemical compounds that can harm our health and the environment.

Keep an eye out for local DEA Take Back days.

Take the following steps to dispose of medication safely in Allen County:

1. Medication Disposal

• Use one of these locations to properly dispose of medications. Call other locations if the drop off box is full. Do not place sharps in drop-off locations.
• Find a drop-off location by viewing the Diversion Control Division website.
• View drop-off locations in Allen County

2. DEA National Rx Takeback Day

Twice per year the DEA has a National Rx Takeback Day. Visit the DEA website to find a collection date and location of each spring and fall collection event.

3. Dispose of Medication in Trash

As a last resort, place medications in the trash bin and take the necessary steps to do so properly (instructions below). Most modern landfills today have a lining that contains harmful leachate from running off into water ways. Chemical runoff can cause negative effects on humans and the environment and must be prevented when possible.

How to Dispose of Medications in the Trash:

1. Take prescription drugs out of their original containers and mix drugs with an undesirable substance like cat litter or used coffee grounds.
2. Put the mixture into a disposable container with a lid (like an empty ice cream container or sealable bag).
3. Place the sealed container with drug mixture in a trash bin.
4. Conceal or remove any personal information, including Rx numbers, on the empty containers using a permanent marker, duct tape or by scratching it off.