The Safe Medicine Disposal Program has been jointly operated by RRWA and local agencies throughout the Russian River watershed since 2003 and includes partnerships between local agencies, pharmacies, and law enforcement offices to safely dispose of unwanted medications, prevent overdoses, and protect the environment. For nearly 20 years, residents of Sonoma and Mendocino County have been able to dispose of their unused, expired, or otherwise unwanted medications free of charge at participating take-back locations.
In 2018, the state of California passed Senate Bill No. 212, establishing a comprehensive statewide take-back system for unwanted medicine from households. Protect your family and the environment by properly disposing of your unwanted medications. Learn more at SafeMedicineDisposal.org.
Don’t flush your unused medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash! Recent studies show that pharmaceuticals in rivers and streams, if present at high enough concentrations, can harm aquatic wildlife. When flushed down the drain, some medications are not completely removed by wastewater treatment plants and are discharged to surface waters.
Ready to dispose of your unwanted medications?
Bring unwanted medication to a participating location for safe disposal during business hours.
Access statewide sharps waste disposal information, including links for ordering free mail-back materials and identifying drop-off locations, for unwanted medicine:
Unwanted medicine Medtakebackcalifornia.org
Home-Generated Sharps Waste SharpsTakeBackCalifornia.org
Dispose of medications, including controlled substances, at special one-day collection events sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Visit DEA Take Back Day for upcoming events and more information.
The California Drug Take-Back Program is funded by California Department of Health Care Services’ MAT Expansion Project and developed and administered in partnership with the California Product Stewardship Council.
The Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority accepts unused medicine through their HazMobile Program in Mendocino and Lake Counties. Call 707-468-9704 for further information.
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency accepts unused medicine at their household toxics facility and through their mobile collection programs.
Safe Medicine Disposal Program for upcoming events and more information.
The Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority accepts unused medicine through their HazMobile Program. Call 707-468-9704 for further information.
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency accepts unused medicine at their household toxics facility and through their toxics rover pick up program. Call 707 565-3375 for further information
