Don’t Flush Down the Toilet
Drugs dissolve when they are flushed down the toilet and can contaminate drinking water sources.
Always Scratch Out Personal Information
To protect your identity and privacy, scratch out any identifying information before disposing of empty or filled containers. Any empty bottles can be thrown in the trash.
Alternative Ways to Recycle
Give to a DEA-Authorized Collector
Some pharmacies and law enforcement offices are registered with the DEA as authorized drug collectors. You can drop-off unused or unwanted drugs at these locations. Find a DEA-authorized disposal location.
Walgreens Safe Medication Disposal Program
Select Walgreens locations now have kiosks for safe medication disposal. Find a kiosk here.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Each April and October the DEA hosts a nationwide drug take back day. Find a drop off location and the date of the next take back day.
Pill Bottle Donation
Donate empty plastic pill bottles to Matthew 25: Ministries for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies and for shredding and recycling.
Ways to Reuse
Repurpose Empty Pill Bottles
Put empty pill bottles to good use by repurposing them as travel containers and organizers for items such as cotton swabs, bobby pins, spare buttons, mini sewing kits, jewelry, coins, earbuds, and other knickknacks and supplies.
