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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | |
Mission Wellness Pharmacy (2424 Mission) | 2424 Mission | 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. | |
Stericycle (Hayward) | 30542 San Antonio St | Hayward | Safe Disposal | Pick-up for a Fee | Pharmaceutical Waste | |
CVS Pharmacy (670 El Cerrito Plaza, El Cerrito) | 670 El Cerrito Plaza | El Cerrito | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | ACCEPTED: Medications in any dosage form, except for those listed below, in their original container or sealed bag.* *If transferring medications to a sealed bag, please be sure to recycle all remaining packaging. NOT ACCEPTED: Herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, cosmetics, other personal care products, compressed cylinders, aerosols, inhalers, medical devices, pet pesticide products, sharps, illicit drugs, mercury-containing thermometers and iodine-containing medications. | |
Palo Alto Medical Foundation- Walgreens Pharmacy |
795 El Camino Real Lee Building, Level A |
Palo Alto | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | Items accepted from patients only. No controlled substances. Consolidate pills into one container & leave ointments & liquids in original container. Dispose of vitamins in the garbage. | |
WM Think Green From Home | 172 98th Ave | Oakland | Safe Disposal | Mail-in for a Fee | Online service. Programs for residents and businesses. | |
CVS (1900 19th Ave) | 1900 19th Ave | 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. | |
Charlie's Pharmacy | 1101 Fillmore St. | San Francisco | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | This location only accepts non-controlled substances. View the complete list of controlled substances at http://sfenvironment.org/medicinedisposal | |
CVS Pharmacy (26059 Mission Blvd) | 26059 Mission Blvd | Hayward | 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. | |
Rite Aid Pharmacy (1350 N Vasco Rd) | 1350 N Vasco Rd | Livermore | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | ||
Walgreens | 3838 California St. | San Francisco | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | ||
Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy (San Leandro) |
2500 Merced St Building A, 1st Floor |
San Leandro | 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 in curbside recycling cart. | |
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. | |
CVS Pharmacy (1451 Shattuck Ave) | 1451 Shattuck Ave | Berkeley | 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 (377 32nd Ave) | 377 - 32nd Ave | 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. | |
United Pharmacy | 2929 Telegraph Avenue | Berkeley | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | Drop-box inside. | |
City of Palo Alto Household Hazardous Waste Station Program | 2501 Embarcadero Way | Palo Alto | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | No controlled substances. Consolidate pills into one container & leave ointments & liquids in original container. Dispose of vitamins in the garbage. | |
CVS Pharmacy | 2701 Middlefield Road | Palo Alto | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off | CVS does not accept controlled substances. All medications must be in their original containers. | |
Clay Medical Pharmacy |
929 Clay St. Suite 103 # 103 |
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. | |
Stanford Healthcare Pharmacy |
875 Blake Wilbur Drive CC1102 |
Palo Alto | Safe Disposal | Free Drop-off |