How to dispose of old medications
Start with your city: most cities take old medications through hazardous waste and drop-off sites. Choose your city below to jump to its rules, or read the options that apply anywhere.
Your city’s rules for old medications
| Hazardous? | Sometimes. Not RCRA hazardous for households, but misuse/poisoning risk and environmental contamination; take-back preferred. (epa.gov) |
|---|
Ways to get rid of old medications
Household hazardous waste drop-off
DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Days. (epa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Household hazardous waste drop-off
Law enforcement drop-box kiosks. (epa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Retailer take-back
Pharmacy take-back kiosks. (epa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Manufacturer program
Mail-back envelopes. (epa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Rules to know
State programs and laws
| State | Program or law | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California | Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship (SB 212): free drug drop-off sites and mail-back via medtakebackcalifornia.org, run by MED-Project. | calrecycle.ca.gov |
| Delaware | Division of Public Health runs prescription drug take-back events and medication collection boxes (program, not a stewardship law). | dnrec.delaware.gov |
| Illinois | Illinois EPA funds 100+ pharmaceutical collection sites operated by local governments. | epa.illinois.gov |
| Maine | Manufacturer-funded drug take-back stewardship program (2023 law); all registered pharmacies must offer mail-back envelopes, kiosks or another free take-back option. | maine.gov |
| New Mexico | No state take-back mandate found; NMED directs residents to local take-back programs (drugstores, law enforcement, etc.) and says never flush medications. | env.nm.gov |
| Pennsylvania | DEP points residents to the Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Take-Back Program and local law-enforcement drop boxes. | pa.gov |
Related guides
All disposal guidesChecked October 30, 2026 against federal, state and program pages. Local rules come first: your city’s page shows its own pickup and drop-off rules.