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Properly disposing of waste in the home will help protect you and others, like your family members, from injury and infection. Please follow these steps when getting rid of medications or supplies.

Medications, Containers & Supplies

Flushing medication down a sink or toilet is not often the best way to get rid of unwanted medications. Read more to learn about how to safely dispose of medication that is no longer needed.

  • Take-Back programs will accept pills or creams, and oftentimes accept liquid medications, but you will need to contact your local program to find out if they accept IV medications. Go to https://www.dea.gov/takebackday for information on a Take-Back program near you.
  • If you have missed a Take-Back program day, many places have year-round drop-off collection boxes. Go to https://deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/ to find a collection box near you.
  • Mail back envelopes are another responsible way of getting rid of unwanted medications. Many pharmacies and stores that sell medications also sell these envelopes. Some businesses, community organizations, and states provide mail-back envelopes for free.
  • If no take-back programs or collection boxes are available, unused medications may be thrown in the trash if you follow these directions.
    1. Take the medication out of the original container.
    2. Mix medication with an undesirable substance (such as dirt, kitty litter, used coffee grounds).
    3. Put the mixture in a container with a lid, such as an empty margarine tub, or a resealable bag.
    4. Throw the container away in your household trash.
    5. Go to https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines for more information.
  • Some medications can cause accidental death to children or pets if they get into the trash. The FDA has a short list of medications that are acceptable to flush down the sink or toilet. Go to https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines for the list of medications. Remember, don’t flush your medicine unless it’s on the Flush List!
  • To avoid spreading infections, we are unable to accept returns of any medication or supplies.

Sharps Disposal– Needles & Sharps

  • Put all needles in your Sharps container. Syringes with no needle can be thrown in the trash.
  • We provide a mail back Sharps container.  When the sharps container is full, close the lid and place it back in the box. There is prepaid postage on the box to be mailed back. This is mailed back through the US Postal Service. 

IV Poles and Supplies

  • Used IV supplies – Place into your regular garbage. Includes IV tubing, syringes with no needles, empty bags/syringes, or unused supplies.
  • To avoid spreading infections, we are unable to take back any supplies, including IV poles.
  • IV poles may also be donated to your local donation center or vet clinic.
  • Consider keeping the IV pole for future family or personal needs, or you can find a new purpose for them. They are a great place to hang plants!

Blood & Bodily Fluids

  • Clean any spills with soap and water or 10:1 water and bleach solution.
  • Always wear gloves and use disposable towels or sponges for cleaning
  • Place all soiled materials in a sealed plastic bag and throw them away in the garbage.