Medications
Medications include over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed medicine taken orally or applied topically, like creams, lotions or shampoos, for people or pets. Does not include vitamins or dietary supplements.
Household Hazardous Waste
This item should never be put in a curbside bin. For more information visit our household hazardous waste page.
Pre-filled syringes and auto-injectors with an integral or attached needle is considered a "sharp."
Old vitamins and supplements may be composted along with the cotton filler. Packaging can be recycled (ex. clean, dry plastic bottle) or put in the garbage (ex. blister packs). Silica gel packs can be reused (e.g. edible dry goods) or landfilled.
Unmedicated lotions, cosmetics, fragrances, sunscreen agents, and similar products belong in your household trash. Do not put these products down the drain or into the toilet.
Prepare your medicines for disposal before arriving at a kiosk site. Accepted items include all prescription drugs in any dosage form (e.g. pills, liquids, creams, aerosols). Protect your privacy by removing or obscuring any labels showing your personal information on drug containers or vials. You can pour all your pills into a Zip-lock bag no larger than 1 gallon in size, and recycle the vials and other containers in your home recycling. Liquids and creams should remain in their original containers and tightly closed to prevent leakage. Aerosols should have their protective caps affixed to prevent accidental discharge. Remove inhaler vials from the inhaler housing. Kiosks are located near the pharmacy area, or for hospitals and police departments, in the lobby.
At the kiosk: Take care at the kiosk not to introduce too many materials into the kiosk drop-chute at one time. Check the kiosk chute after closing to ensure the drugs dropped into the kiosk. Federal law prevents anyone from reviewing or examining the drugs you wish to dispose, so place them in the kiosk yourself – do not accept any unsolicited assistance to do so.
If there are problems with the information or services provided by MedProject.org, please contact safedrugdisposal@acgov.org.
Vendors
Vendor | Address | City | Destination | Disposal Method | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brentwood Police Department | 9100 Brentwood Blvd. | Brentwood | Free Drop-off | Edit with date and address every year: Partnered with the DEA, Brentwood PD hosts National Prescription Drug Take Back Day every April. Please call or visit the website listed above for more information regarding the event. Only pills, patches, and liquids sealed in their original container will be accepted. Vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers are accepted only after the batteries are removed from the devices. | ||
RAMP (Recycled AIDS Medicine Program) Mail-In |
2261 Market St., #328 (Mailing address for medication donations) |
San Francisco | Reuse | Free Drop-off | AIDS Medication. We accept both opened and sealed bottles. Mark-out the patient name, address, and doctor information. Do not remove the medication name, strength, or expiration. We do not accept narcotics, sleeping medications, or tranquilizers. | |
RAMP (Recycled AIDS Medication Donation) |
San Francisco Community Health Center 730 Polk St, 4th floor |
San Francisco | Reuse | Free Drop-off, Free Mail-in | AIDS Medication. We accept both opened and sealed bottles. Mark-out the patient name, address, and doctor information. Do not remove the medication name, strength, or expiration. We do not accept narcotics, sleeping medications, or tranquilizers. | |
RAMP (Recycled AIDS Medicine Program) Drop-off Location (Spahr Center) |
Spahr Center 150 Nellen Ave |
Corte Madera | Reuse | Free Drop-off | AIDS Medications. We accept both opened and sealed bottles. Mark-out the patient name, address, and doctor information. Do not remove the medication name, strength, or expiration. We do not accept narcotics, sleeping medications, or tranquilizers. | |
RAMP (Recycled AIDS Medicine Program) Drop-off Location (Food for Thought) |
Food for Thought/Sonoma County AIDS Food Bank 6550 Railroad Ave |
Forestville | Reuse | Free Drop-off | AIDS Medication. We accept both opened and sealed bottles. Mark-out the patient name, address, and doctor information. Do not remove the medication name, strength, or expiration. We do not accept narcotics, sleeping medications, or tranquilizers. | |
RAMP (Recycled AIDS Medicine Program) Drop-off Location (Mail Access) |
2261 Market St (between Noe St & Sanchez St) |
San Francisco | Reuse | Free Drop-off | AIDS Medications. We accept both opened and sealed bottles. Mark-out the patient name, address, and doctor information. Do not remove the medication name, strength, or expiration. We do not accept narcotics, sleeping medications, or tranquilizers. | |
RAMP (Recycled AIDS Medicine Program) Drop-off Location (SF LGBT Center) |
SF LGBT Center 1800 Market St |
San Francisco | Reuse | Free Drop-off | AIDS Medications. We accept both opened and sealed bottles. Mark-out the patient name, address, and doctor information. Do not remove the medication name, strength, or expiration. We do not accept narcotics, sleeping medications, or tranquilizers. | |
MAP International | Reuse | Free Mail-in | Large quantity from manufacturers or suppliers. Pharmaceuticals and over the counter medicines. | |||
Community Behavioral Health Services | 1380 Howard Street, Suite 130 | San Francisco | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | ||
North East Medical Services | 2574 San Bruno Avenue | San Francisco | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | ||
MED-Project: Bay Area Meds Drop-Box Location Finder | 1800 M St, NW | Washington | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | Online location finder. Cross out or remove personal identifying information on the medicated liquid or cream containers and place solid medicines in a sealed plastic bag for drop-box disposal. Recycle rigid plastic pill containers at home. | |
Walgreens (Adeline St) | 2801 Adeline St | Berkeley | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | Drop-off kiosk inside. | |
Walgreens (Alameda) |
2300 Otis Dr Northwest corner of Otis Dr & Park |
Alameda | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | Drop-box inside. | |
Richmond Police Station | 461 6th Ave. | San Francisco | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | Mix all pills into a plastic bag. Remove any personal info and recycle empty pill bottles. Keep liquid medicine in original container. Wait times may apply, CALL AHEAD! | |
Moraga Police Department | 329 Rheem Blvd. | Moraga | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | ||
Rite Aid Pharmacy (1991 Mountain Blvd) | 1991 Mountain Blvd | Oakland | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | ||
Union City Police Department | 34009 Alvarado Niles Blvd | Union City | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | Drop-box inside lobby | |
CVS Pharmacy (3999 Santa Rita Rd) | 3999 Santa Rita Rd | Pleasanton | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | Drop-box inside. All medications, including Controlled Substances. Bring pills in a ziploc bag, with liquids & creams in their own bag. Recycle plastic bottles & lids. | |
CVS Pharmacy (3667 Castro Valley Blvd) | 3667 Castro Valley Blvd | Castro Valley | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | Drop-box inside. All medications, including Controlled Substances. Bring pills in a ziploc bag, with liquids & creams in their own bag. Recycle plastic bottles & lids. | |
CVS (351 California St) | 351 California St | San Francisco | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | Only available during pharmacy hours. Mix all pills into a plastic bag. Remove any personal info and recycle empty pill bottles. |