Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York
Have
you ever needed to dispose of prescription medicines, but didn’t know
how?
If
the pill bottle is empty, remove the label, or black out your personal information, and recycle it.
But
if there is medication left over, you’ll want to dispose of it in a special
place.
The
Food & Drug Administration says the best way to dispose of most types of
unused or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop
off the medicine at a drug takeback site, location, or program immediately.
There
are some types of medicines that can be flushed, the FDA has a list of these
drugs HERE. Remember, don’t flush your medicine unless it is on the flush list.
Below
are some ways to dispose of your unwanted medications in the tri-state:
NOTE: Call ahead to ensure your materials will be accepted at any
of these locations.
NATIONWIDE
Twice
a year - in April and October - the federal Drug Enforcement Agency holds a
National Take Back Day. Learn more about National Prescription Drug Take Back
Day HERE.
Visit
your local pharmacy to purchase pre-addressed envelopes to mail unwanted
medications for incineration.
Some
facilities and businesses are registered with the DEA to collect your unused or
expired medicines. Find an authorized drug collection site near you HERE or
call the DEA Diversion Control Division Registration Call Center at
1-800-882-9539 for more information about these collection sites.
CONNECTICUT
In
Connecticut there are several ways that consumers can safely dispose of
unwanted medications.
Put them in the trash following THESE instructions for safe disposal.
CLICK
HERE to check if your local police station has a drug drop off box.
NEW JERSEY
New
Jersey offers secured drop boxes in the headquarters of local police
departments. Consumers from anywhere in the state can visit the boxes seven
days a week, to drop off unwanted and expired medications.
The
drop boxes accept solid pharmaceuticals such as pills, capsules, patches,
inhalers, and pet medications. They cannot accept syringes or liquids.
CLICK
HERE for a list of departments where the boxes are available.
For
the hours of availability and other information, contact the police departments
or call the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at (800) 242-5846.
Follow
THESE instructions to safely dispose of certain medicines in the trash.
Many
New Jersey hospitals accept used needles and syringes when put in containers
using THESE STEPS. Refer to THIS GUIDE for specific locations and contact
information.
NEW YORK STATE
CLICK
HERE to find a free collection site near you.
Follow
THESE instructions to safely dispose of certain medicines in the trash.
All
New York state hospitals and nursing homes are required by law to act as
collection centers for used household sharps, including syringes and lancets,
with no identification required. Make sure sharps are packaged safely in a
puncture-proof container.
NEW YORK CITY
Bring
unwanted and expired medicines to a SAFE Disposal Event, or use THIS MAP to
locate a pharmaceutical and sharps drop-off location.