Safe Disposal of Medications and Medical Supplies
Safely disposing of unused and expired medications and used medical supplies helps protect the people around you and your environment. There are many safe disposal options available to everyone throughout Wisconsin.
Keeping unused and expired medications around the house can be dangerous. If these medications fall into the wrong hands or are taken by mistake, there can be severe consequences. Keep your household safe and make it a habit to safely dispose of medications you no longer need.
What is safe disposal?
Too often, unused and expired medications find their way into the wrong hands. That’s dangerous and often tragic. Bringing unused and expired medications to a Drug Take Back Day collection site protects you, your family, and your community.
Wisconsinites safely disposed of 59,840 pounds of medications on the last Drug Take Back Day, which was held April 30, 2022. The total amount of medications collected in Wisconsin was the most in the nation.
Do not flush or drain unused and expired medications
Unused and expired prescription medications should never be flushed down a toilet or poured down a drain. They can contaminate our water supply.
Permanent drug drop boxes are open year-round
Communities all over Wisconsin are working to have these boxes available all over. They can be found at hospitals, pharmacies, police departments, and other community locations
Don’t keep old medications
Medications are prescribed by a healthcare professional for a specific purpose. It can be dangerous to use them in other situations and they do expire! Don’t keep them around “just in case.”
Call the your local drug prevention coalition to find out about disposal
There are many places in our area to dispose of medications. In addition to Drug Take Back days, there are drop boxes and other options like mailer envelopes or special bags that can be used to make medications safe to throw away.
How to dispose of medical supplies
Identifying a puncture-resistant container for your sharps.
Immediately after use, place your items into this container. This will reduce the risk of needle sticks or cuts from loose items.
Writing or placing a label on the sharps container.
Be sure to clearly label the container “biohazard,” “household sharps,” “infectious waste,” or with the biohazard emblem. If placed in a container that would otherwise be recyclable, label it “do not recycle.”
Sealing the container and taking it to a sharps collection site.
Once the container is full, make sure it is tightly sealed and secured with tape. Take it to a sharps collection site near you (link is external). If you cannot dispose of the container immediately, make sure to store it out of reach of children.
Concerned about someone’s well-being?
Call 211 or 1-833-944-4673
The Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline can help you find local services and support. It’s free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.