Medications
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.

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- Safe Disposal
2501 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto • (650) 496-5910No controlled substances. Consolidate pills into one container & leave ointments & liquids in original container. Dispose of vitamins in the garbage.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
352 University Avenue, Palo Alto • (650) 324-3248CVS does not accept controlled substances. All medications must be in their original containers.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
275 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto • (650) 329-2406Accepts medications and controlled substances.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto • (650) 853-6066Items accepted from patients only. No controlled substances. Consolidate pills into one container & leave ointments & liquids in original container. Dispose of vitamins in the garbage.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
2605 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto • (650) 566-9723CVS does not accept controlled substances. All medications must be in their original containers.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
2701 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto • (650) 330-0132CVS does not accept controlled substances. All medications must be in their original containers.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
P.O. Box 19636, Stanford • (650) 488-7434Large volume. Unopened, unexpired medication only. Enter surplus online/fax & add prepaid shipping label. Pick up is next day.Free Pick-up -
- Safe Disposal
4170 El Camino Real, Palo Alto • (650) 858-2007CVS does not accept controlled substances. All medications must be in their original containers.Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
California Product Stewardship Council, Sacramento •Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
1001 I St, Sacramento • (800) 732-9253Free Drop-off -
- Safe Disposal
189 Stauffer Blvd, San Jose • 408-295-0600Pharmaceutical WastePick-up for a Fee -
- Reuse
Food for Thought/Sonoma County AIDS Food Bank, Forestville • (707) 887-1647AIDS 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.Free Drop-off