Are unused and expired medications filling up your medicine cabinet? Don’t flush them down the drain or throw them in the trash. Help protect your family and the environment by taking your unwanted medication to a participating take-back location.
Why is this a problem?
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. Proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals can help protect the environment.
RRWA Safe Medicine Disposal Program
To address this issue the RRWA is partnering with local agencies, pharmacies and law enforcement offices to provide safe medicine disposal locations in the Russian River Watershed.
Items Accepted:
- Prescription and over-the-counter -pills and capsules
- Liquid medications, including ointments, lotions and creams (in sealed containers please!)
- Veterinary medications
- Vitamins, supplements, homeopathic remedies
- Medical patches
- Inhalers (empty)
- Medical samples.
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Items not Accepted:
- Controlled substances (Contact your local law enforcement agency regarding the disposal of controlled substances.) For a list of controlled substances, click here.
- IV bags
- Bloody or infectious waste
- Personal care products (body lotion, shampoo etc.)
- Aerosol cans
- Epi-pens and other needles/sharps
- Thermometers
- Illegal drugs
- Medical marijuana
- Chemotherapy drugs (ask your health care provider for disposal options).
- Any other waste or medication not listed under “Items Accepted”
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How to participate:
- Bring unwanted medication to a participating location for safe disposal during business hours.
- Remove medication from containers and deposit in the disposal bin. Locations in stores will be near the pharmacy.
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DROP OFF LOCATIONS:
Please click here for all current drop off locations in the Russian River Watershed area.
Mendocino County
The Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority accepts unused medicine through their HazMobile Program.
See www.mendorecycle.org or call 707-468-9704 for further information.
Sonoma County
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency accepts unused medicine at their household toxics facility and through their toxics rover pick up program.
See www.recyclenow.org or call 707 565-3375 for further information.
For further information, see also:
City of Santa Rosa Safe Medicine Disposal Program
Sonoma County Water Agency Safe Medicine Disposal Program
Program Partners:
City of Cloverdale
City of Cotati
City of Healdsburg
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority
City of Rohnert Park
City of Santa Rosa
Sonoma County Water Agency
Sonoma County Waste Management Agency
City of Ukiah
Town of Windsor
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