Guide for Reuse, Repair, Recycling, and Safe Disposal
for Alameda County, Contra Costa County, and the City of Palo Alto
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medications

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.

Search the MED-Project location finder for more safe disposal options for unwanted and expired medication.

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
Shoreway Environmental Center (SEC) 333 Shoreway Road San Carlos Safe Disposal Free Drop-off Public Recycling Center. Non-controlled substances only. In ziploc bags.,Public Recycling Center. Non-controlled substances only. Pills in ziploc bags. Businesses: Unopened, unexpired medication only. Enter surplus online/fax & add prepaid shipping label. Pick up is next day.
Sharps Solutions 3563 Investment Blvd.
Suite 6
Hayward Safe Disposal Pick-up for a Fee Commercial quantity. Prepaid container program.
SF State University, Student Health Services 1600 Holloway 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.
San Ramon Police Department 2401 Crow Canyon Rd. San Ramon Safe Disposal Free Drop-off
San Leandro Hospital 1401 Washington Ave San Leandro Safe Disposal Free Drop-off Drop-box inside. 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 mechanism.
Rite Aid Pharmacy (968 Murrieta Blvd) 968 Murrieta Blvd Livermore Safe Disposal Free Drop-off
Rite Aid Pharmacy (3848 Castro Valley Blvd) 3848 Castro Valley Blvd Castro Valley Safe Disposal Free Drop-off
Rite Aid Pharmacy (31091 Mission Blvd) 31091 Mission Blvd Hayward Safe Disposal Free Drop-off
Rite Aid Pharmacy (2819 Hopyard Rd) 2819 Hopyard Rd Pleasanton Safe Disposal Free Drop-off
Rite Aid Pharmacy (1991 Mountain Blvd) 1991 Mountain Blvd Oakland Safe Disposal Free Drop-off
Rite Aid Pharmacy (1355 MacArthur Blvd) 1355 MacArthur Blvd San Leandro Safe Disposal Free Drop-off Kiosk inside. 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 mechanism.
Rite Aid Pharmacy (1350 N Vasco Rd) 1350 N Vasco Rd Livermore Safe Disposal Free Drop-off
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!
Richmond Police Department 1701 Regatta Blvd. Richmond Safe Disposal Free Drop-off Medications (No controlled substances allowed). Put loose pills and bottled liquids in a sealed plastic bag. Black out any personal information.
Richmond Fire Department Station #63 5201 Valley View Rd. El Sobrante Safe Disposal Free Drop-off Medications (No controlled substances allowed). Put loose pills and bottled liquids in a sealed plastic bag. Black out any personal information.
Reliable Rexall Sunset Pharmacy 801 Irving St 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.
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 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 (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.
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.

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